09:21 AM EDT, 08/05/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) up 0.5%.

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

Banco Santander (SAN) and Webster Financial ( WBS ) have received US Federal Reserve approval for their proposed deal under which Banco Santander will acquire Webster, the companies said. Shares of Banco Santander and Webster Financial ( WBS ) were up more than 1% in recent premarket activity.

Global Payments ( GPN ) stock was down more than 3% even after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and adjusted net revenue.

Thomson Reuters ( TMSOF ) shares were marginally advancing after the company posted higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, and it raised its 2026 revenue growth guidance.