03:21 PM EST, 02/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.9% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 0.8%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index climbed 1.7%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was 0.1% higher.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was little changed at $71.34 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract decreased 0.1% to $75.11 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 2.1% to $3.64 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Vista Energy (VIST) shares popped 2.4% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral, with a $66 price target.