Energy stocks rose late Tuesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.3% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.8%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index eased 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index gained 0.9%.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 0.7% to $73.31 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent declined 1% to $77.13 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures dropped 3.2% to $3.15 per 1 million BTU.
In corporate news, the US Supreme Court reversed and remanded rulings by lower courts, reviving Exxon Mobil's (XOM) lawsuit seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Cuban government-owned companies over assets confiscated after Fidel Castro seized of power in 1959. Exxon shares rose 1.2%.
Petrobras (PBR) signed a memorandum of understanding with Petroleos Mexicanos to cooperate in areas of exploration and production, and industrial processes. Petrobras shares were little changed.
Walmart (WMT) will buy nuclear power from Constellation Energy (CEG) under a long-term agreement split into two 15-year terms. Constellation shares fell 1.6%.
Energy Fuels (UUUU) agreed to acquire Germany-based magnetics manufacturer Vacuumschmelze and related entities, collectively known as VAC, from private equity firm Ara Partners in a deal with an equity value of $1.9 billion. Energy Fuels shares fell 3.9%.