01:37 PM EST, 02/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) each rising 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index climbed 1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index shed 0.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was little changed at $71.36 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was decreasing 0.2% to $75.05 a barrel.

US natural gas stocks fell by 100 billion cubic feet in the week ended Feb. 7, a larger drop than the 92 billion decline expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a decrease of 174 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1% to $3.60 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Elliott Investment Management is urging BP (BP) to make drastic divestments and cost cuts to boost its future as a standalone company, Bloomberg reported. BP shares added 0.6%.