Financial stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday as the Select Financial Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 0.78% in recent trading. The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X shares (FAS) were over 2% higher and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X shares (FAZ) were down more than 1%.
Empower Retirement has agreed to buy Prudential Financial’s (PRU) full-service retirement plan recordkeeping and administration business for a total transaction value of $3.55 billion, according to a news release. Prudential Financial was marginally gaining recently.
Nasdaq (NDAQ) was slightly advancing as it posted Q2 adjusted earnings of $1.90 per share, up from $1.54 per share a year earlier. Analysts polled by Capital IQ projected adjusted EPS of $1.75.
MarketAxess (MKTX) was edging lower recently as it reported Q2 EPS of $1.77, down from $2.20 a year earlier. Analysts polled by Capital IQ projected $1.69.
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