01:27 PM EDT, 07/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 2%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index climbed 3.7%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities index was falling 1.7%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was declining 0.3% to $81.94 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was down 0.2% to $84.89 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 4.4% to $2.23 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Trio Petroleum ( TPET ) shares added 1.2%. The company appointed Robin Ross as its chief executive, expanding his role after he recently rejoined the company as board chair.