09:05 AM EDT, 07/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Friday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was marginally advancing recently.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was 0.6% lower and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was down 0.5%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 0.6% at $77.85 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 0.6% to $81.84 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 0.3% at $2.04 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Eni (E) shares were up over 4% after it reported higher Q2 earnings and revenue.