<div id="readability-page-1">03:59 PM EST, 12/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index increasing 0.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 0.2%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index rose 0.6%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index eased 0.1%.West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.3% to $59.69 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent advanced 1% to $63.30 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.4% to $5.06 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, Comstock Resources ( CRK ) agreed to sell natural gas assets in Texas to Citadel's Apex Natural Gas for about $430 million, Bloomberg reported. Comstock shares were little changed.BP (BP) is in advanced talks to sell its Castrol lubricants unit to infrastructure investment group Stonepeak in a deal that may value the business at $8 billion, the Financial Times reported. BP shares were fractionally lower.Chevron ( CVX ) said Thursday that it has earmarked $18 billion to $19 billion for consolidated subsidiaries' organic capital expenditures in 2026, while affiliate capital expenditure is expected at $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion. Chevron ( CVX ) added 0.3%.Portland General Electric ( POR ) shares fell 1.3% after Ladenburg Thalmann downgraded the stock to sell from neutral. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

Energy stocks rose late Thursday, with NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.3% and XLE up 0.2%. Oil prices increased, with WTI crude at $59.69 and Brent at $63.30. Comstock Resources sold Texas assets for $430M. BP may sell Castrol unit for $8B. Chevron plans $18-19B in capital expenditures for 2026. Portland General Electric shares fell 1.3% after downgrade.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Edge Higher Late Afternoon