09:22 AM EDT, 10/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing pre-bell Friday, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) 0.4% higher.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares ( FAS ) was up 1.5% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares ( FAZ ) was 1.4% lower.

NatWest Group ( NWG ) shares were up nearly 4% after the company posted higher Q3 earnings and total income.

Blackstone (BX) will invest about $705 million in India's Federal Bank for a 9.9% stake through a Singapore-based affiliate, the Indian lender said and Reuters reported. Blackstone stock was up more than 1% premarket.

Universal Insurance ( UVE ) shares were up nearly 5% after the company reported that it swung to Q3 adjusted earnings amid higher revenue.