08:58 AM EDT, 09/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday, with The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advancing by 0.2%.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was 0.6% higher and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was down 0.4%.

Lloyds Banking ( LYG ) will scrutinize around 3,000 of its 63,000 employees for possible dismissal over poor performance, news outlets reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Lloyds Banking Group ( LYG ) shares were up more than 1% pre-bell.