11:59 AM EST, 12/24/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher around midday Tuesday, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.5% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) rising 0.7%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was adding 0.7%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was increasing 0.9%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 1.6% to $70.32 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.6% to $73.76 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 6.3% to $3.89 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Snow Lake Energy (LITM) shares surged past 70% after the company said late Monday it has secured funding to continue its 2025 exploration programs.

Nano Nuclear Energy ( NNE ) shares jumped nearly 8%. The company said Tuesday it sealed a deal to acquire Ultra Safe Nuclear's technology patents and associated assets for $8.5 million in an auction mandated by a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.

Comstock (LODE) shares popped 6.3% after it said Monday its Comstock IP unit has executed a technology cooperation agreement with Emerging Fuels Technology of Oklahoma.