01:35 PM EDT, 10/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were easing Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) marginally lower.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 0.4% increase, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.5%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 2.2% to $70.78 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.8% to $74.37 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 1.9% higher at $2.30 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Shell's (SHEL) sale of its onshore and shallow-water oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta for up to $2.4 billion has been blocked by Nigeria, Reuters reported. Shell shares were up 0.2%.