01:29 PM EDT, 08/22/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.8% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 2.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was climbing 4.8%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was up 0.7%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.1% to $63.58 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was slightly lower at $67.65 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 4.3% to $2.71 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Cenovus Energy ( CVE ) has agreed to buy fellow Canadian oil sands producer MEG Energy in a cash-and-stock deal worth about 7.9 billion Canadian dollars ($5.68 billion), including debt, the companies said Friday. Cenovus shares climbed over 6%.

Enphase Energy ( ENPH ) shares jumped past 9% after it said Thursday that all its products subject to the EU's Radio Equipment Directive Article 3.3 cybersecurity requirements are certified to be in compliance with the rules.

Fluence Energy ( FLNC ) shares gained 10% after the company said it has started producing thermal management systems, including HVAC and chiller equipment, for its battery energy storage systems at a new plant in Houston, Texas.