08:56 AM EST, 12/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.2% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.1% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.2% lower at $70.13 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 0.3% to $73.32 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 0.4% at $3.36 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

PHX Minerals ( PHX ) shares were over 5% higher after the company said its board has launched a strategic review process to explore options for maximizing shareholder value, including a potential merger or sale.