01:27 PM EDT, 09/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) rising 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 0.3% increase, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was adding 0.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.5% to $68.50 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was easing 0.2% to $71.82 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were adding 0.3% to $2.91 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday it approved a proposed consent order prohibiting Chevron ( CVX ) from appointing Hess (HES) Chief Executive John Hess to its board of directors as part of Chevron's ( CVX ) deal to acquire Hess. Chevron ( CVX ) shares rose 0.5% and Hess added 0.9%.