** BGC Group's BGC.O shares up 7.5% at $9.90 on Mon after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sheds ownership stakes in several affiliated firms to comply with government ethics agreement

** Brokerage and fintech firm BGC early Mon says it agreed to repurchase more than 16.4 mln Class A shares from Lutnick, its former chairman and CEO, for $151.5 mln

** Co said it bought the shares at about $9.21, which is equivalent to stock's last sale on Fri

** Lutnick also reached deal with real estate adviser Newmark Group NMRK.O to buy back 11 mln of his shares for $127 mln, based on stock's $11.58 last close

** Additionally, Lutnick agreed to transfer his ownership interest in financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald to trusts benefiting his sons Brandon and Kyle Lutnick, and his other adult children

** As part of the transfer, Cantor Fitzgerald said its current leadership team will remain in place while 26North will become minority investors

** Cantor Fitzgerald, which agreed to buy ~9 mln BGC Class B shares from Lutnick, will continue to have controlling interests in both BGC and Newmark

** With move on Mon, BGC shares up ~9% YTD

** NMRK's stock on the session is up 0.6% at $11.66, but down 9% in 2025

(Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)

((lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380))