<div id="readability-page-1">04:05 PM EDT, 05/18/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.8% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1.7%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 3.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was down 0.5%.Crude oil prices rose Monday amid a lack of progress on US-Iran peace talks. Iran has submitted its new proposal to end the war, but the White House believes it fails to offer meaningful improvements on the last offer, Axios reported Monday, citing a senior US official and a source briefed on the issue.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 1% to $106.42 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.4% to $109.70 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 2% to $3.02 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, NextEra Energy ( NEE/PW ) and Dominion Energy ( D ) said they have agreed to merge in all-stock deal to create the largest regulated electric utility in the world. Dominion's shareholders will get 0.8138 of NextEra's shares for each share owned, giving them a 25.5% stake in the combined entity, they said, adding that NextEra's shareholders will have the balance. NextEra was down 4.7%, and Dominion jumped past 9%.Devon Energy ( DVN ) may see support from its upcoming combined company guidance with Coterra Energy in June, possible asset sales, merger synergies, stronger shareholder returns, and continued investment in Delaware Basin assets, RBC said. Devon shares added 0.5%.ConocoPhillips ( COP ) and Glenfarne Group's subsidiary have signed a 30-year agreement to supply North Slope natural gas for phase one of the Alaska LNG project, the companies said Monday. ConocoPhillips ( COP ) shares rose 1.7%.Compass Minerals International ( CMP ) said it plans to re-enter the lithium market via a partnership with startup EnergyX to extract lithium from Utah's Great Salt Lake, Reuters reported. Compass shares fell 1.1%. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

Energy stocks rose late Monday, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 1.8%. Crude oil prices increased amid stalled US-Iran peace talks. NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy announced a merger, creating the largest regulated electric utility. Devon Energy's shares rose slightly, while ConocoPhillips gained 1.7% after a gas supply agreement. Compass Minerals plans to re-enter the lithium market, but its shares fell 1.1%.

fidelity

Nextera Energy

Dominion Energy

Devon Energy

ConocoPhillips

SPDR Energy Select

ISHRS S&P Glb Engy

Dow Jones Utility Average

Coterra Energy

Compass Minerals

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 5.65%JNR SUBORD DEB 01/03/2079 SER N

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 6.5% BDS 15/04/86 USD1000

Nextera Energy Partners LP

NEXTERA ENERGY INC 6.926% CORPORATE UNITS 01/09/2025

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT 01/11/2029

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 6.5% BDS 01/06/85 USD25

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT 01/06/2027

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Gain Late Afternoon