02:04 PM EDT, 04/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.4% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index increased 0.4%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was shedding 0.3%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising nearly 2% to $113.80 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.6% to $110.70 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1% to $2.83 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, ExxonMobil ( XOM ) is emerging as a key beneficiary of the global helium shortage triggered by the shutdown of Qatar's Ras Laffan complex and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to Western shipping, UBS Securities said in a report. Exxon shares gained 1.2%.

Proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services recommended a vote against a move by BP's (BP) board to revoke some previous company-specific climate reporting resolutions, ISS said in a report emailed to MT Newswires Monday. BP shares were up 0.6%.

Diamondback Energy ( FANG ) shares added 0.3% after it said Monday that it has launched cash tender offers to buy outstanding senior notes due 2051 and 2052.