02:07 PM EST, 02/26/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were rising Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.4% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was decreasing 0.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was easing 0.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 1.1% to $66.12 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.1% to $71.67 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 1.9% to $2.81 per 1 million BTU.

In sector news, US natural gas stocks declined by 52 billion cubic feet in the week ended Feb. 20, slightly larger than the 50-billion cubic foot decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a decrease of 144 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

In corporate news, Eni (E) shares rose 2.6% after it reported Thursday Q4 sales from operations of 20.62 billion euros ($24.3 billion), down from 23.49 billion euros a year earlier but above analysts' estimates.

Enerflex ( EFXT ) shares jumped 17%. The company said late Wednesday its preliminary 2026 outlook "reflects steady demand across its business lines and geographic regions" while reporting a swing to a Q4 net loss, and it signed a deal to divest the majority of its operations in the Asia Pacific region.

Shell (SHEL) is reviewing and considering whether to sell some investments held under its Shell Ventures portfolio, Reuters reported. Shell shares were down 1.5%.