09:19 AM EDT, 03/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks edged higher pre-bell Monday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) recently advanced by 0.3%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was up 0.2% and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was 0.7% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.2% at $68.40 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil was up 0.2% to $72.28 per barrel. Natural gas futures were up 0.2% at $3.988 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

TotalEnergies' (TTE) renewable energy assets in Portugal are attracting interest from Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, which is exploring the acquisition of an undisclosed stake, Reuters reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. TotalEnergies shares were down 0.8% premarket.

CMB.TECH ( CMBT ) shares were up over 1% after the company said it has signed an agreement with Mitsui OSK Lines and MOL CHEMICAL TANKERS for nine ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers and chemical tankers.