Thursday was another day of increased crude oil prices in the U.S. and in Europe as prices in the U.S. finished midway between $63 and $64 a barrel reaching four-week highs.
The increased prices are believed to be due to positive U.S. economic data and higher demand forecasts from the International Energy Agency and OPEC as countries start to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and demand grows for gasoline.
West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery finished up 31 cents at $63.46 a barrel in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Global benchmark Brent crude for June delivery rose 36 cents to $66.94 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.
The prices were the highest closes for both benchmarks since March 17 for a second day in a row and put both contracts up for a fourth straight day for the first time since February.
May natural gas rose 4 cents to $2.66 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Gold for June delivery rose $30
Not a standout day for Oklahoma energy stocks on Thursday.
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. gained 0.52% on a 3 cent rise to $5.83.
Blueknight Energy Partners gained 1.27% on a 4 cent increase to $3.18.
Chesapeake Energy was unchanged at $46.19.
Cimarex Energy Co. lost 1.14% on a 74 cent fall to $64.16.
Chevron (CVX) down 0.85 at 103.42 – change 0.82%
ConocoPhillips (COP) down 0.79 at 51.90 – change 1.50%
Diamondback Energy (FANG) down 1.28 at 79.08 – change 1.57%
Energy Transfer LP (ET) up 0.04 at 8.06 – change 0.50%
Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) down 0.18 at 22.96 – change 0.78%
EOG Resources (EOG) down 0.88 at 72.83 – change 1.19%
ExxonMobil (XOM) down 0.34 at 56.98 – change 0.59%
Kinder Morgan (KMI) up 0.05 at 16.72 – change 0.33%
Marathon Oil Corp. (MRO) down 0.25 at 10.84 – change 2.25%
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) down 0.36 at 13.44 – change 2.61%
Occidental Petroleum (OXY) down 0.69 at 24.86 – change 2.70%
Phillips 66 (PSX) down 0.37 at 79.02 – change 0.47%
Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) down 0.89 at 152.22 – change 0.58%
Valero (VLO) down 0.88 at 71.39 – change 1.22%
CLOSING TOP UTILITY STOCKS
American Electric Power (AEP) up 0.74 at 87.81 – change 0.84%
CenterPoint (CNP) up 0.34 at 24.05 – change 1.43%
Entergy (ETR) up 1.41 at 105.59 – change 1.35%