Energy stocks were mixed Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index edging down 0.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) gaining 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index fell 0.9%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was up 0.1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was declining 0.6% to $69.91 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was falling 1.1% to $73.20 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 1.4% lower at $3.88 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, AES (AES) shares surged past 10% after it reported higher-than-expected Q4 adjusted earnings and its full-year 2025 guidance beat the average analyst earnings estimate compiled by FactSet.

NextDecade (NEXT) shares jumped past 8% after the firm said it plans to expand capacity at the Rio Grande liquefied natural gas facility site in Texas beyond trains 1 through 5.

MPLX (MPLX) shares rose 1.9% after the company said it has signed a deal with WhiteWater and Diamondback Energy (FANG) affiliates to buy the remaining 55% stake in the BANGL Pipeline for $715 million.