Shares of energy companies rose slightly as investors weighed an ongoing spike in Covid-19 infections against promising vaccine developments.

Oil futures finished slightly higher after a volatile session as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned that the coronavirus pandemic could still hit economic growth while a Covid vaccine is awaited.

Natural gas prices futures fell slightly to $2.69-per-million British thermal units, the lowest closing price since Oct. 14, as weather forecasts continued to call for unseasonably warm weather in many U.S. regions.

Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-17-20 1622ET