01:28 PM EDT, 07/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.2% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 1.1% gain, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was adding 1.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.2% at $82.79 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was edging up 0.1% to $85.44 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 2.9% higher at $2.33 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, ConocoPhillips ( COP ) and Marathon Oil ( MRO ) said that they each received a second request from the US Federal Trade Commission for more information over their planned merger. ConocoPhillips ( COP ) shares were falling 0.8%, and Marathon was shedding 0.7%.