Financial stocks will likely enjoy a stronger run before a possible Federal Reserve rate hike than after it, said CNBC "Fast Money" trader Brian Kelly.
Investors may want to buy the sector ahead of the move but shed their stake when it happens, he contended. Kelly noted the S&P Regional Banking ETF holds upside ahead of a rate liftoff.
"All the action is going to take place before the FOMC meeting," he said.
Market expectations that the Federal Open Market Committee will abandon years of near-zero interest rate policy at its September meeting have fallen amid a turbulent run for the U.S. stock market. But whether the U.S. central bank increases rates next month or chooses to wait, financials should climb ahead of the decision, Kelly said.
Read MoreFed's Fischer: Too early to decide on September
The CME Group could also benefit when the Fed hikes, trader Guy Adami said. He believes the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's options and futures will see a flurry of action, driving the stock higher.
Trader Steve Grasso pointed possible upside in discount stock brokerage ETRADE Financial after the move.
Disclosures:
Steve Grasso
Steve is long AAPL, BA, BAC, CC, DD, DIS, DECK, EVGN, FIT, KBH, MJNA, MU, PFE, PHM, T, TWTR, GDX. His kids own EFA, EFG, EWJ, IJR, SPY.
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly is long BBRY, TWTR call spread, Bitcoin, U.S. Dollar; he is short British Pound, Euro, Ruble, Yen, Yuan, US Treasuries. Today he shorted British Pound.
Guy Adami
Guy Adami is long CELG, EXAS, INTC, Guy Adami's wife, Linda Snow, works at Merck.