01:13 PM EST, 11/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) each fractionally higher.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 2.1%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was shedding 0.1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.5% to $61.26 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.5% to $65.05 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures gained 3.4% to $4.27 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, SM Energy ( SM ) and Civitas Resources ( CIVI ) agreed to merge in an all-stock deal, creating one of the largest independent oil-focused producer operating across US shale basins. SM shares were down 5.7%, and Civitas shed 0.6%.