MW: Energy stocks get a lift from firmer oil prices
By Jim Jelter
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Rising crude-oil prices helped lift energy stocks at the open Thursday. Early trades sent the NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI 1,042, +4.81, +0.46%) up 0.3% to 1,040 points while the NYSEA Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG 544.06, +1.89, +0.35%) was holding steady to the previous close at 542 and the Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index (OSX 200.99, +0.62, +0.31%) was up 0.2% at 201 points. Crude for March delivery was up 88 cents at $78.21 a barrel in New York ahead of the latest weekly U.S. inventory data, due later today.
