09:09 AM EDT, 08/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 0.8% higher recently.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was 1.7% higher and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was up 2.2%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.7% higher at $66.26 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.6% to $68.71 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.5% at $3.05 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Southwest Gas ( SWX ) shares were down more than 3% after the company reported a decline in Q2 consolidated operating revenue.