A third straight day of violence in the Middle East and a jump in crude-oil prices pushed energy stocks higher at the open Monday. Early action carried the Amex Oil Index 1.7% higher, the Amex Natural Gas Index was up 0.9% and the Philadelphia Oil Service Index was ahead 2.4%. Crude for February delivery was up $1.05 a barrel at $38.76 after surging past $40 overnight. Hess Corp. was leading percentage gainers in the oil group, up 3.9% at $50.94 a share.
