03:18 PM EDT, 04/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks fell late Friday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index dropping 1.6% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) retreating 2%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index slumped 3%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index shed 1%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.5% to $85.42 a barrel, while the global benchmark Brent crude contract advanced 0.5% to $90.18 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures gained 0.4% to $1.771 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Atmos Energy's ( ATO ) strong balance sheet should help the company achieve earnings growth of 7.3% annually in the five-year period ending in 2028, UBS Securities said Friday in a report initiating coverage. UBS rated the stock neutral with a 12-month price target of $124. Atmos shares fell 0.7%.