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Sector Update: Energy

-- Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 0.3%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.9% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.9% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1% higher at $93.86 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.9% to $102.87 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.4% at $2.68 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) and Hornbeck Offshore Services have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company. Shares of Helix were up more than 5% pre-bell.

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Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Strong Buy Opinion On Shares Of Baker Hughes

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