Financial stocks rose in Friday's premarket hours as the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) was 0.3% higher recently.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.8% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.7% lower.

Carlyle Group-backed (CG) Varo Energy is in discussions to buy Preem's Gothenburg and Lysekil refineries in Sweden, Reuters reported, citing four unnamed industry sources familiar with the plan. Carlyle Group shares were up over 1% pre-bell.

Byline Bancorp (BY) shares were over 1% higher after the company said its board approved a new program to repurchase up to about 1.3 million shares, or about 2.8% of its outstanding common stock.

Citigroup (C) has promoted 344 executives across 29 countries to managing director, its highest officer title, multiple media reports said, citing an employee memo. Citigroup shares were up 0.6% premarket.