Energy stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) each adding 1.1%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index increased 0.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index rose 0.8%.
Oil prices fell after reports that Iran has agreed with the US to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country. US Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Iran agreed to admit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency in the country, according to media reports.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.9% to $73.69 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract dropped 3.4% to $77.86 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures advanced 1.9% to $3.29 per 1 million BTU.
In corporate news, Chevron (CVX) has agreed to build a power plant in West Texas to supply electricity to a data center operated by Microsoft (MSFT), as part of a 20-year power purchase deal. Chevron shares rose 0.9%.