Financials Lead Market in Early Trading

The Financials Sector, which was the weakest performing area of the market in Monday's session, is the strongest sector in the S&P 500 (SPX) in early trading – currently up 0.7% on the day.

The index has been back and forth between positive and negative territory all morning, but the Financials Sector has held strong, preventing any sustained downside move.

The strongest stocks in the S&P 500 Financials Sector currently are:

1) Host Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HST): Shares of Host Hotels are currently trading up 3.6% from yesterday's close to $17.58. This real estate investment trust (REIT), which owns and operates mainly luxury hotel properties throughout the world, has steadily gained ground throughout today's trading session. Shares have broken above their 200-day simple moving average (one year daily chart) in early action. The stock is looking to break above $17.81 resistance – a level dating back to March 21st.

2) Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP): Shares of Ameriprise are currently trading up 3% from yesterday's close to $56.63. The stock bounced off of its lower Bollinger Band (20, 2.0 – one year daily chart) in today's session. Shares may be looking to break above their 200-day simple moving average, which is currently at $57.62.

3) First Horizon National (NYSE: FHN): Shares of First Horizon are currently trading up 2.6% from yesterday's close to $9.56. The stock has been strong since the opening bell and is currently sitting near its intraday high. Shares hit a 52-week low of $9.23 in yesterday's trading session. The year-to-date performance of First Horizon has been a loss of 18.7%.

4) M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB): Shares of M&T are currently trading up 2.3% to $88.13. Shares have continued to build upon early gains throughout the morning session, and are currently sitting near intraday highs. The stock has broken above its 50-day simple moving average (one year daily chart) in today's action. Shares have been stuck in a tight consolidation range of $83.13 to $90.00 since December 27th. A break above or below either level could lead to a large percentage move.

5) Apartment Investment and Management (NYSE: AIV): Shares of Apartment Investment and Management are currently trading up 2.3% to $27.47. The stock is currently sitting near its intraday high ($27.51), and may be looking to break through its 52-week high of $27.54, which was set on April 29th.