Shares of energy companies rallied as traders bought into cyclical sectors, and bet the recent rebound in oil prices would largely stick.
Oil futures ended a four-session streak of gains, closing just below $72 a barrel, as traders weighed fears about the spread of the Delta variant, and reports of a crackdown by China on crude importers.
Natural gas continued to gain, settling above $4-per-million British thermal units for the second consecutive trading day, as forecasts for a break in a near nationwide heat-wave were taken with a pinch of salt.
Disbarred attorney Steven Donziger was found guilty of six counts of criminal contempt of court, the latest twist in a nearly three-decade crusade against Chevron involving an attempt to prove the oil company caused environmental harm in Ecuador.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-26-21 1633ET
