01:31 PM EST, 12/31/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index climbed 1.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was down 0.5%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 1.3% to $71.95 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.1% to $74.82 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures dropped 8.7% to $3.59 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, ONEOK ( OKE ) has closed the sale of its three interstate natural gas pipeline systems to DT Midstream ( DTM ) for $1.2 billion, the companies said Tuesday. ONEOK ( OKE ) shares were shedding 0.5% and DT Midstream ( DTM ) was down 0.7%.