By Steve Gelsi
Energy stocks on Monday added to gains from the previous
session, with shares of oil-service giant Halliburton providing a
lift after its profit update.
The Amex Oil Index (XOI) rose 1.9% to 953, led by gains of about
4% for Total SA (TOT), Sunoco (SUN) and Hess Corp. (HES).
The Amex Natural Gas Index (XNG) rose 1.3% to 376.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSXX) rose 2.6% to 128, led
by a nearly 9% rise from Noble Corp (NE).
Halliburton (HAL) jumped 7% to $19.59 as it put a years-long
bribery investigation into its former Kellogg Brown & Root unit
behind it with a $308 million settlement.
Weatherford (WFT) rose 4.5% to $11.33 after it managed to post a
5% increase in fourth-quarter net income despite losses throughout
the sector.
Light, sweet crude for March delivery was last up $1.20 at
$47.67 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, rebounding
from an overnight low of $45.25 a barrel.
Investors waded into petroleum shares after a positive Barron's
article about integrated oil giants presenting a buying
opportunity.
Barron's singled out Exxon Mobil (XOM) as the most likely for a
dividend increase because of its rich cash position. Shares of
Exxon Mobil rose 66 cents to $78.70.
-Steve Gelsi; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com
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