09:24 AM EDT, 08/07/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were leaning lower pre-bell Friday, with the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) marginally declining.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was 0.3% lower and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was down 0.1%.

Essent Group ( ESNT ) shares were up more than 4% after the company reported higher Q2 earnings and revenue.

Apollo Global Management ( APO ) and KKR (KKR) received approval from European regulators to take joint control of Atlantic Aviation Holding, the European Commission said. Apollo Global Management ( APO ) and KKR shares were 0.3% higher premarket.

Goldman Sachs BDC ( GSBD ) reported a flat Q2 net investment income, while total investment income declined during the period. Goldman Sachs BDC ( GSBD ) stock was up 0.1% pre-bell.