03:21 PM EDT, 06/12/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks rose late Friday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.6% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index advanced 0.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index rose 1.1%.

Oil prices fell following media reports that the US and Iran are nearing a potential peace deal, just days after the two sides exchanged strikes in a sharp escalation of tensions since a ceasefire in April.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 3.8% to $84.34 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent dropped 3.9% to $86.88 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.1% to $3.12 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Venture Global ( VG ) shares were rising 2.8%. The company said late Thursday it closed an offering of $1.13 billion of 6.375% senior secured notes due Dec. 15, 2034, and $1.13 billion of 6.625% senior secured notes due June 15, 2036.