03:22 PM EDT, 07/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) each rising 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 0.9% increase, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was up 1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil dropped 2.2% to $76.59 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract fell 2.1% to $80.61 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures decreased 2.1% to $2 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Portland General Electric ( POR ) shares were shedding 0.1% after it reported Q2 earnings Friday of $0.69 per diluted share, up from $0.39 a year earlier. Four analysts polled by Capital IQ expected $0.66.