The Financial sector (XLF) held steady on a trading day that saw S&P 500 drop 1.5%.

Popular (BPOP) rose 860.5% to close at $15.56, cross its 50-day moving average of $1.71 and 200-day moving average of $1.72.

Knight Capital Group (KCG) rose 1.9% to close at $12.69, approaching its 50-day moving average of $12.77. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $12.76. ACE (ACE) fell 2% to close at $71.94, moving down to 0.1% above its 200-day moving average of $71.85.

Southcoast Financial Corporation (SOCB) was a major gainer in the sector, rising 11.1% (+25 cents) to close at $2.50 with 5,754 shares moving. The stock traded in a range of $2.20 to $2.50.

Direxion Daily China Bull 3x Shares ETF (YINN) was a major loser in the sector. Its price dropped 9.4% (-$1.56) to close at $15, as 199,386 shares moved. The stock traded in a range of $14.95 to $15.50.

National Western Life Insurance Company (NWLI) hit a new 52-week low today, hitting $126.24 to fall below the previous low of $127.30.