03:43 PM EST, 02/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks rose late Friday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) increasing 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was little changed, erasing earlier gains, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index dropped 0.4%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.5% to $70.95 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude advanced 0.5% to $74.64 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 3.1% to $3.30 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Ameren ( AEE ) shares added 0.4% after the company boosted its quarterly dividend by 6% to $0.71 a share.

Chevron ( CVX ) is expediting the expansion of the Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan, which started in January, Reuters reported. Chevron ( CVX ) shares rose 0.5%.

Prairie Operating ( PROP ) agreed to acquire some assets from Bayswater Exploration and Production for $603 million in cash and stock. Prairie also launched a $200 million underwritten public offering of common stock. Prairie shares fell 20%.

Centrus Energy ( LEU ) shares jumped 33%, a day after the company posted Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue that topped expectations by analysts.