-- Energy stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.9% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.6%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was rising 2.3%.
In sector news, President Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat that is laying mines in Hormuz, according to his Truth Social post on Thursday. On the same day, Iran flaunted its tightened grip over Hormuz with a video of commandos storming a cargo ship named MSC Francesca, Reuters reported. The US and Iran remain at an impasse, with Tehran refusing to negotiate a peace deal as long as the US Navy continues to blockade its ports and Washington refuses to lift the siege. Mediators are trying to get the diplomatic process back on track, including arranging a possible meeting between warring parties as soon as Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 5.3% to $97.92 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 4.1% to $106.04 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 5% to $2.59 per 1 million BTU.
US natural gas stocks rose by 103 billion cubic feet in the week ended April 17, a larger gain than the 96 billion increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET and following a revised increase of 60 billion cubic feet in the previous week.
In corporate news, PG&E (PCG) reported Q1 adjusted earnings Thursday of $0.43 per share, up from $0.33 a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $0.40. Its shares were 0.2% higher.
Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) and Hornbeck Offshore Services have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company. Helix Energy Solutions shares rose 0.6%.
BP (BP) shareholders rejected a proposal that would have eliminated some climate-related disclosure requirements that investors had voted for at previous meetings, and Chair Albert Manifold was elected with 81.8% of the vote, media outlets reported Thursday. BP shares were down 0.3%.