01:27 PM EDT, 07/11/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday 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 added 0.8%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.5%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 2.7% to $68.38 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 2.4% to $70.30 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were adding 0.6% to $3.36 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Houston American Energy ( HUSA ) shares rose past 9% after it said Friday it entered a common stock purchase agreement with an institutional investor establishing a $100 million equity line of credit to back its growth and acquisitions strategy.