01:21 PM EDT, 08/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.9% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.7%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was climbing 2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was fractionally lower.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined 1.1% to $63.27 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract decreased 0.7% to $66.19 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures dropped 5.7% to $2.79 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Oklo ( OKLO ) is expected to be a main beneficiary of US government support for nuclear energy, which has gained traction since the Trump administration took over in January, Wedbush said in a note Tuesday. Wedbush raised its price target on Oklo ( OKLO ) to $80 from $75 and maintained its outperform rating. Oklo ( OKLO ) shares jumped nearly 8%.