01:24 PM EDT, 10/22/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) rising 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 0.3% decline, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.4%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 2.5% to $72.32 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 2.3% to $75.98 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 1.2% higher at $2.34 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, GeoPark ( GPRK ) said Tuesday its GeoPark Argentina unit has obtained authorization from the Argentinian securities regulator to issue up to $500 million in debt securities over the next five years. GeoPark ( GPRK ) shares were marginally lower.