-- Energy stocks rose Thursday with the NYSE Energy Sector Index gaining 0.7% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.8%.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index advanced 1.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index climbed 2.4%.
In sector news, President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat that is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to his Truth Social post. 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 as soon as Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 3.6% to $96.32 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent advanced 3.6% to $105.54 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 4.8% to $2.59 per 1 million BTU.
US natural gas stocks rose by 103 billion cubic feet in the week ended Friday, a larger gain than the 96 billion increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a revised gain of 60 billion in the previous week.
In corporate news, NextEra Energy (NEE) shares jumped 7%. The company reported Q1 adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street estimates.
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 82% of the vote, media outlets reported. BP shares eased 0.1%.
Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) and Hornbeck Offshore Services agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company. Helix shares gained 0.7%.
Chevron (CVX) resumed full production at its Wheatstone liquefied natural gas facility in Western Australia after repairs from damage caused by a cyclone last month, Reuters reported. Chevron shares rose 0.7%.