01:49 PM EDT, 06/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.5% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index rose 0.9%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was 0.1% higher.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.6% to $63.23 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.6% to $65.22 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 0.4% higher at $3.73 per 1 million BTU.

US natural gas stocks rose by 122 billion cubic feet in the week ended May 30, larger than the 112 billion increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following an increase of 101 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

In corporate news, American Electric Power ( AEP ) shares rose 0.2%. Its Public Service Co. of Oklahoma unit said it received approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to buy the 795 MW Green Country Power Plant in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Vermilion Energy ( VET ) shares added 1.8% after the company said it has agreed to sell its US assets for $120 million in cash.

Petrobras (PBR) shares increased 0.5% after the company said it submitted a declaration of interest for nine offshore exploratory blocks in the Ivory Coast.