Sector Update: Financial Stocks Edge Higher Pre-Bell Wednesday

09:19 AM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging higher pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advancing by 2.3%. The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 6.5% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 6.9% lower. Blackstone (BX) has raised 13 billion euros ($14.62 billion) for its European direct lending strategy, completing its fourth fund targeting mid-market and upper-mid-market borrowers in the region, Bloomberg reported, citing a statement. Shares of Blackstone were up more than 2% premarket. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (BXSL) reported lower Q3 earnings and total investment income. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund stock was 0.3% higher pre-bell.