03:53 PM EST, 02/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were rising late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index fractionally up and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was down 0.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was up 0.6%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.4% to $72.85 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract added 0.2% to $75.80 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 10% to $3.35 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, American States Water ( AWR ) shares fell 2.7% after BofA Securities downgraded its rating to underperform from neutral. The brokerage adjusted its price target on the company's stock to $71 from $85.

Phillips 66's (PSX) 25% equity interest in Gulf Coast Express Pipeline has been acquired by ArcLight Capital Partners and its affiliates for $865 million, ArcLight said. Phillips 66 shares were down fractionally.

Stabilis Solutions ( SLNG ) said Westervelt Ballard Jr. departed as chief executive on Friday, and Executive Chairman J. Casey Crenshaw, a majority shareholder, was named interim CEO. Stabilis shares dropped 9.3%.

Ecopetrol ( EC ) shares popped 3.7%. The company said its Ecopetrol Permian unit and Occidental Petroleum ( OXY ) have agreed to extend the development plan of Rodeo Midland Basin.