03:21 PM EDT, 07/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks declined late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 1.1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) falling 1.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index dropped 2.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index shed 0.6%.

OPEC maintained its global oil demand and economic growth projections for 2025 and 2026, while saying world expansion in H2 may be better than expected. The cartel continues to expect oil demand to grow by 1.29 million barrels a day this year and by 1.28 million barrels next year.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 0.5% to $66.67 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent shed 0.6% to $68.83 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.7% to $3.53 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, the US Federal Trade Commission denied Pioneer Natural Resources founder Scott Sheffield's request to reopen and cancel a final consent order for Exxon Mobil's ( XOM ) acquisition of Pioneer, the FTC said Tuesday. Exxon shares were down 0.9%.