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Active trading within the financials this morning ahead of the opening bell indicates a likely rally session for the beaten down sector.

Leading the charge higher are shares of Lehman Brothers (LEH). The bank's shares rallied Wednesday after a CNBC report that the investment bank plans to offer stock to employees as a means of retaining top talent.

The troubled bank's stock jumped almost 12% after the report, which investors interpreted as a sign a sale of the firm is not imminent. Rumors have spread that Lehman was on the verge of a fire sale to Barclays (BCS).

Employees will receive 20% of last year's bonus in stock that vests over three years, CNBC said. Lehman declined to comment on the report.

Shares closed Wednesday up 6.7% to $22.36. LEH last traded in the pre-market at $22.80.