01:23 PM EST, 11/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were rising Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.6% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was easing 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.4%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.7% to $68.58 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.7% to $72.39 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures gained 1.8% to $2.96 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Coterra Energy ( CTRA ) shares rose 2% after the company said Wednesday it has signed two separate agreements to buy certain assets of Franklin Mountain Energy and Avant Natural Resources for $3.95 billion.