03:27 PM EDT, 09/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 1.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 1.7%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was climbing 2.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 1.6%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.9% to $64.51 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract advanced 1.5% to $68.45 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 2% higher at $3.11 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Phillips 66 (PSX) is positioned to boost earnings through operational integration across its refineries, pipelines, and petrochemicals, cutting costs, improving efficiency, and expanding its commercial team 30% since 2023, UBS Securities said in a Monday note. Phillips 66 shares were rising 1.6%.