Energy stocks were higher Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.8% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was easing 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was falling 1.5%.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.7% to $91.19 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract gained 2.9% to $102.10 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.6% to $3.01 per 1 million BTU.
In corporate news, Devon Energy (DVN) was urged earlier this month by activist hedge fund Toms Capital Management to review strategic alternatives, including a sale, CNBC reported. Devon Energy shares rose 3.1%.