08:58 AM EDT, 03/10/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks leaned lower pre-bell Monday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) recently fell by 0.2%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.7% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 5.9% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.8% at $67.55 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.6% to $70.80 per barrel. Natural gas futures were 5.4% higher at $4.636 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Veren ( VRN ) shares rallied past 18% after the company said it signed a definitive business combination agreement with Whitecap Resources to create a light oil and condensate producer. The all-share transaction is valued at approximately $10.4 billion, inclusive of net debt.