03:44 PM EDT, 03/31/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index dropping 1.2% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) falling 1.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was up 0.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was shedding 0.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased 0.8% to $102.08 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract dropped 2.6% to $104.56 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures increased 0.2% to $2.89 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) executives continued to highlight the potential of a $500 million algae biofuel project to investors in early 2020 even after internal scientists warned the initiative was failing to meet its targets, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Exxon shares were down 1.3%.