09:25 AM EDT, 07/31/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were falling pre-bell Thursday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) down 1%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) and United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) were both 1.4% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.7% lower at $69.49 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 0.8% to reach $72.68 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1% at $3.02 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Shell (SHEL) shares were down 0.4% after the company posted lower Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue.

MPLX ( MPLX ) stock was 0.7% higher after the company said it has agreed to acquire Northwind Midstream for about $2.38 billion in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

TC Energy ( TRP ) shares were up 0.8% after the company reported higher Q2 comparable earnings and revenue.