09:04 AM EDT, 06/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 0.3% higher recently.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.4% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.9% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.5% at $73.65 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.4% to $76.79 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 1.7% higher at $3.92 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Northern Oil and Gas ( NOG ) shares were up 1% after the company said it has closed the reopening of its 3.625% convertible unsecured senior notes due April 2029, improving its liquidity and debt maturity schedule.