09:22 AM EST, 02/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks advanced pre-bell Friday with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) 0.2% higher recently.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares ( FAS ) was up 0.7% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares ( FAZ ) was 0.6% lower.

BlackRock ( BLK ) has resumed meetings with leaders of its portfolio companies after reviewing new reporting rules from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Reuters reported citing a statement from a company representative. BlackRock ( BLK ) shares were up 0.3% premarket.

Carlyle Group ( CG ) is among the shortlisted bidders for HgCapital's smartTrade Technologies, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Carlyle Group ( CG ) shares were marginally higher pre-bell.

Bank of America ( BAC ) shares were 0.2% higher after the company said it will redeem all 550 million Canadian dollars ($387.8 million) of outstanding 3.515% fixed/floating rate senior notes due 2026 on March 24.