09:03 AM EST, 12/06/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were declining pre-bell Friday with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 0.2% lower recently.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 1.6% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.1% lower at $67.56 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 1% to $71.36 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.5% at $3.03 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Matador Resources ( MTDR ) shares were up over 2% after the company said it has agreed to contribute its Pronto Midstream subsidiary to its San Mateo Midstream joint venture with Five Point Energy for an implied valuation of about $600 million.