01:42 PM EDT, 08/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks rose Monday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index gaining 0.2% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index eased 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index dropped 0.9%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 2.1% to $65.01 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent advanced 1.8% to $68.41 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 0.3% to $2.79 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Crescent Energy ( CRGY ) agreed to buy Vital Energy ( VTLE ) for $3.1 billion in stock and debt. Vital shares jumped 15%, and Crescent fell 4.9%.

Sasol ( SSL ) shares jumped 11% after the company reported fiscal 2025 earnings of 10.60 South African rand ($0.60) per share, swinging from a loss of 69.94 rand a year earlier.

MPLX ( MPLX ) , ONEOK ( OKE ) , Enbridge ( ENB ) , and gas transmission asset operator WhiteWater, through their Matterhorn joint venture, reached a final investment decision to construct the Eiger Express Pipeline. MPLX ( MPLX ) shares fell 0.7%, ONEOK ( OKE ) eased 0.1%, and Enbridge ( ENB ) shed 0.7%.