09:01 AM EDT, 03/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks edged higher pre-bell Monday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) recently advanced by 0.5%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.2% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was inactive.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.2% at $68.43 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.2% to $71.75 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 1.3% lower at $3.97 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

TotalEnergies' (TTE) renewable energy assets in Portugal are attracting interest from Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, which is exploring the acquisition of an undisclosed stake, Reuters reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. TotalEnergies shares were down 0.4% premarket.