03:21 PM EDT, 05/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks fell late Monday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index retreating 0.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) down 0.7%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index rose 0.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index eased 0.1%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased 0.4% to $79.78 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude dropped 0.3% to $83.73 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 4.6% to $2.75 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, the California Public Employees Retirement System said it will vote against the reelection of Exxon Mobil's ( XOM ) board after the oil giant recently sued two climate activist investors. Exxon shares fell 0.8%.