09:04 AM EDT, 09/09/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Tuesday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 0.2% higher.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was 0.8% higher and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was up 0.7%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1% higher at $62.88 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1% to reach $66.65 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.6% at $3.14 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Shell (SHEL) is set to sign a new long-term gas purchase agreement with Hungary, Reuters reported, citing the country's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto. Shell shares were 0.8% higher premarket.