MW: Energy stocks jump on higher crude prices, economy
By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Energy stocks jumped Monday as crude prices advanced, the broad market rose, and BJ Services helped lift the oil service sector with better-than-expected results.
The NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI 1,101, +27.53, +2.57%) rose 2.6% to 1,101. The NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG 510.27, +13.68, +2.76%) jumped 2.8% to 510. The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX 195.13, +6.14, +3.25%) jumped 3.2% to 195.
BJ Services (BJS 19.07, +0.37, +1.98%) rose 2.5% to $19.17 after it reported a narrower-than-expected loss and said its merger with Baker Hughes (BHI 41.40, +0.91, +2.25%) remains on track.
Eni SpA (E 51.79, +1.56, +3.11%) jumped 3% to $51.72 on plans to buy oil fields in Uganda for $1.5 billion from the U.K.'s Heritage Oil.
Schlumberger (SLB 66.07, +2.73, +4.31%) rose 3.8% to $65.76 after Credit Suisse upgraded the oil service giant to outperform from neutral.
Crude prices advanced $2.17 to $79.64 a barrel on a weaker dollar and jitters tied to Iran's nuclear program and possible plans by Nigeria to boost taxes on oil production.
In a positive sign for the economy, existing home sales jumped in the U.S.