-- Energy stocks were higher late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.1% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1.3%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1.6%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities Index fell 1.8%.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 2.8% to $92.13 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.8% to $97.23 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures increased 0.3% to $2.70 per 1 million BTU.
In corporate news, Vaalco Energy (EGY) shares jumped 11% after the company said its Etame 14H development well is in an attic position after the company drilled, completed and placed it on production in Gabon.