01:22 PM EST, 12/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index increased 0.6%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index gained 1.4%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.4% to $69.62 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.3% to $73.06 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 4.9% to $3.76 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Battalion Oil ( BATL ) shares were down over 38% after the company terminated its agreement and plan of merger with Fury Resources.