-- Energy stocks declined Thursday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) each falling 1.7%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index dropped 1.9%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index shed 1.1%.
In sector news, Iran has created a government agency to vet and tax vessels seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Associated Press reported, citing Lloyd's List Intelligence. Tehran is reviewing the latest US proposals for ending the war.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1% to $96 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent gained 0.2% at $101.45 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 2.1% to $2.79 per 1 million BTU.
US natural gas stocks rose 63 billion cubic feet in the week ended Friday, smaller than the 72 billion increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following the gain of 79 billion in the previous week.
In corporate news, Cheniere Energy (LNG) shares fell 5.2% after the company reported a Q1 loss of $16.65 per diluted share, swinging from earnings of $1.57 a year earlier.
Shell (SHEL) shares fell 3.1% after the company reported lower-than-expected Q1 revenue.
Tenaris (TS) shares dropped 5.3% after the company said Q2 sales will be affected by lower shipments in the Middle East. Tenaris named Gabriel Podskubka CEO.