09:05 AM EST, 12/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks rose pre-bell Wednesday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) recently advanced by 0.2%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.7% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.6% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.9% higher at $70.73 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.7% to $73.73 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 2.4% at $3.39 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Oil States International ( OIS ) shares advanced by over 3% after the company said late Tuesday it closed the sale of an idled Houston Ship Channel facility, generating $24.8 million in net proceeds.