03:24 PM EST, 12/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.9% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) falling 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index dropped 1.3%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index shed 0.7%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined 0.7% to $70.21 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract shed 0.8% to $73.31 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 4.4% to $3.36 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, American Water Works ( AWK ) shares added 0.3% after it said Tuesday that $31.5 million in major upgrades have been completed at Illinois American Water's water treatment plant in Jerseyville, Illinois.