Sector Update: Energy Stocks Higher Late Afternoon
Energy stocks rose late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.6% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.7%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index shed 0.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index rose 0.9%.Oil prices fell following media reports that the US and Iran are nearing a potential peace deal, just days after the two sides exchanged strikes in a sharp escalation of tensions since a ceasefire in April.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said about 7 million barrels of daily oil and fuel shipments are flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, or about half the volumes stranded at the start of the war with Iran, Bloomberg reported.West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 3.7% to $84.51 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent dropped 3.8% to $86.99 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.3% to $3.13 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, Exxon Mobil (XOM) is studying potential takeover targets, including Woodside Energy (WDS), as the energy giant looks to increase its presence in the liquefied natural gas sector and in Asian markets, Bloomberg reported. Exxon shares rose 0.2%, and Woodside jumped past 6%.Shell (SHEL) said Friday it has suspended its ongoing $3 billion share buyback program. The suspension, effective Friday through July 14, is related to securities law requirements following publication of the shareholder circular by ARC Resources, Shell said. Separately, Shell is planning to begin the sale of its offshore wind farms for over $1 billion by the end of this year as the company prioritizes its fossil fuel business, Bloomberg reported. Shell shares were 0.4% lower.BP (BP) started a process to sell minority stakes in its Kaskida and Tiber projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Reuters reported. BP shares were fractionally higher.Venture Global (VG) shares were rising 2%. The company and Greece-based Atlantic-SEE LNG Trade said late Thursday they expanded their existing sales and purchase agreement for US liquefied natural gas. Venture Global also said late Thursday it closed an offering of $1.13 billion of 6.375% senior secured notes due Dec. 15, 2034, and $1.13 billion of 6.625% senior secured notes due June 15, 2036.