01:12 PM EST, 12/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.2% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) shedding 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index eased 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was down 0.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was declining 0.3% to $69.89 a barrel, while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was shedding 0.2% to $73.40 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures slumped 5.7% to $3.72 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Berry (BRY) said Thursday it has closed a debt refinancing, securing a $450 million term loan and a revolving credit agreement of up to $500 million. Its shares were down 0.5%.