<div id="readability-page-1">09:20 AM EST, 12/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing premarket Friday, with the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF ( XLF ) 0.5% higher.The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares ( FAS ) was up 1.2% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares ( FAZ ) was 1.3% lower.UBS Group ( UBS ) shares were up more than 1% following media reports that Swiss lawmakers have pitched a compromise on new capital rules for the local banking giant in a bid to make sure it continues to be competitive globally.Old Republic International ( ORI ) stock was up more than 2% after the company declared a special dividend of $2.50 a share, payable on Jan. 14 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 2.HSBC ( HSBC ) has committed to keeping its 327 branches in the UK open until at least 2027 and will increase its 2026 branch network investment by 30% to 55.8 million British pounds ($74.6 million), HSBC UK said in a statement shared with MT Newswires. HSBC ( HSBC ) shares were 0.3% higher premarket. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

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Financial stocks are advancing premarket Friday. State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is up 0.5%, Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) up 1.2%, and Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) down 1.3%. UBS Group (UBS) shares rise over 1% on new capital rules compromise. Old Republic International (ORI) stock up over 2% after declaring a special dividend. HSBC (HSBC) commits to keeping UK branches open until 2027 and increasing 2026 branch network investment by 30%.

- Financial stocks showed positive movement in premarket trading, with the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) rising by 0.5%.  
- UBS Group shares increased over 1% due to reports of a compromise on capital rules, while Old Republic International's stock rose more than 2% after announcing a special dividend.  
- HSBC plans to maintain its UK branches until at least 2027 and is increasing its branch network investment for 2026 by 30%.

Sector Update: Financial Stocks Advance Premarket Friday