01:28 PM EDT, 07/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) each rising about 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 1.1% increase, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was adding 1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was declining 1.2% to $77.33 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was falling 1.3% to $81.30 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 1.3% lower at $2.02 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Baker Hughes ( BKR ) shares popped 4.9% following better-than-expected Q2 results in the previous day.