08:58 AM EST, 12/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were steady pre-bell Monday, with The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) unchanged.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares ( FAS ) was 0.4% higher and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares ( FAZ ) was down 0.7%.

Apollo Global Management ( APO ) and Santander (SAN) have teamed up for a $370 million investment in infrastructure financing, the companies said Monday. Apollo shares were up 5.4% and Santander stock was 0.4% higher in recent premarket activity.

Arthur J. Gallagher ( AJG ) shares were down 0.8% after the company said that it has agreed to acquire AssuredPartners for $13.45 billion in a transaction expected to close in Q1 2025.

Independent Bank (INDB) and Enterprise Bancorp ( EBTC ) said Monday they have signed a merger agreement under which Enterprise will merge into Independent Bank for a cash and stock transaction of roughly $562 million, or $45.06 per share. Independent Bank shares were up 1% and Enterprise Bancorp ( EBTC ) stock was 10% higher.