03:17 PM EST, 01/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index adding 1.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index rose 0.9%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index shed 0.4%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.2% to $74.42 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract advanced 1.2% to $77.19 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were falling 6% to $3.45 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Hallador Energy ( HNRG ) shares rose 5% after it said Hallador Power has entered into an exclusive energy supply negotiation agreement with a data center developer.