Energy stocks were lower late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.2% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) shedding 0.4%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was falling 1.3%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index decreased 0.8%.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.7% to $70.42 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract added 1.1% to $72.79 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 3.1% to $3.18 per 1 million BTU.
In corporate news, SandRidge Energy (SD) shares rose 1.9% after it said Monday it agreed to acquire some producing assets and leasehold interests in the Cherokee play in the mid-continent region for $65 million in cash.
Duke Energy (DUK) entered a settlement agreement with the US Department of the Interior to provide reliable energy at lower costs to customers in the Carolinas, the Department of the Interior said Monday. Duke Energy shares were down 0.1%.
Matador Resources' (MTDR) majority-owned San Mateo Midstream joint venture has agreed to acquire the operating subsidiaries of Cardinal Midstream Partners from EnCap Flatrock Midstream for $752 million in cash. Matador shares declined 0.5%.
Ring Energy (REI) has joined the Russell 3000 Index, effective when the US market opens on Monday, as part of the Russell indexes reconstitution, the company said on the same day. Ring Energy shares gained 3.3%.