Sturdy quarter likely for financials, but ETF investors cautious

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The financial sector is expected to be a bright spot for U.S. earnings growth in the third quarter, but options traders are playing it safe by snapping up protection against any surprises. Market volatility tends to rise during earnings season, and with several heavyweights reporting next week, investors are trying to hedge their bets by adding to protective positions in the options on a key exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the finan