<div id="readability-page-1">09:20 AM EST, 12/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF ( XLE ) up 0.9%.The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was up 1.8% and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was 2.3% higher.Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 1.7% at $56.04 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.6% to $59.85 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 2.8% higher at $4.00 per 1 million British Thermal Units.Riley Exploration Permian ( REPX ) shares were up more than 6% after the company said its board approved a new share repurchase program of up to $100 million over the next 24 months.TotalEnergies (TTE) stock was up more than 1% after the company said it has completed the sale of a 50% stake in its 424 MW wind and solar portfolio in Greece to Asterion Industrial Partners for 508 million euros ($595.4 million), or about 1.2 million euros per MW. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

Energy stocks advanced pre-bell Wednesday, with XLE up 0.9%, USO up 1.8%, and UNG up 2.3%. WTI crude oil rose 1.7% to $56.04/barrel, Brent crude gained 1.6% to $59.85/barrel, and natural gas futures increased 2.8% to $4.00/MMBtu. Riley Exploration Permian shares surged over 6% following a $100 million share repurchase program approval. TotalEnergies stock rose over 1% after selling a 50% stake in its Greek wind and solar portfolio for 508 million euros.

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Advance Pre-Bell Wednesday