03:15 PM EDT, 09/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks declined late Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.6% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) falling 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index dropped 1.2%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities index gained 0.7%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 1.8% to $69.10 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent shed 1.5% to $72.65 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures dropped 2.4% to $2.15 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Crescent Energy ( CRGY ) said Wednesday it signed a definitive agreement to buy assets from a private Eagle Ford operator for $168 million. Crescent shares were falling 1.1%.