09:00 AM EDT, 10/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging higher premarket Monday, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advancing by 0.5%.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 1.4% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 1.3% lower.

HBT Financial ( HBT ) shares were up more than 1% after the company reported higher Q3 adjusted earnings and operating revenue. Separately, HBT Financial ( HBT ) and CNB Bank Shares said they agreed to a $170.2 million cash-and-stock merger.