Energy stocks advanced Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.8% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.9%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was fractionally higher.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.7% to $101.70 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was adding 0.1% to $105.73 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.4% to $2.90 per 1 million BTU.
US natural gas stocks rose by 85 billion cubic feet in the week ended May 8, smaller than the 87 billion gain expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following an increase of 63 billion cubic feet in the previous week.
In corporate news, Constellation Energy (CEG) and Pine Creek RNG said Thursday they have signed a long-term agreement under which Constellation will buy a minority equity interest in five Pine Creek production facilities. Constellation shares increased 0.6%.
Chevron (CVX) has agreed to sell its downstream fuels and lubricants marketing businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, to Eneos for $2.17 billion, Eneos said. Chevron shares added 0.3%.
New Fortress Energy (NFE) is seeking permission from a UK court for a restructuring plan that will convert 90% of its $6.5 billion debt into equity and transfer ownership of the company to creditors, Bloomberg reported. New Fortress shares fell nearly 6%.