Sector Update: Energy Stocks Fall Monday Afternoon
Energy stocks were lower Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) each dropping about 3.2%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was down 2.4%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index rose 1%.The US and Iran have reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz after more than three months of conflict that disrupted regional stability and global shipping routes. "The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Sunday. "I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the US Naval blockade."Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 5.1% to $80.55 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract dropped 4.7% to $83.24 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 0.5% to $3.14 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, Peabody Energy (BTU) said Monday it terminated its amended 2020 transaction support agreement with surety providers and entered into standard indemnification agreements to support its US mine reclamation obligations. Peabody Energy shares were down 4.9%.Shell's (SHEL) Sprng Energy Indian renewable power business could be acquired by Aditya Birla Group, which has emerged as the frontrunner for the unit, Bloomberg reported. Shell shares were shedding 3.4%.The European Commission said it has approved a joint venture between TotalEnergies (TTE) and Masdar focused on renewable energy projects in the Asia-Pacific region. TotalEnergies shares fell 4.3%.