09:09 AM EDT, 10/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were rising pre-bell Thursday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 1.8% higher.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 4.3% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.4% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 4.6% higher at $61.20 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 4.2% to $65.23 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.1% at $3.41 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Valero Energy ( VLO ) shares were up more than 2% after the company reported Q3 adjusted earnings and revenue that exceeded analysts' expectations.