Shares of energy companies rose as oil futures and the oil-and-gas sector eked out a gain for the year.

Crude futures rose 0.1% to $71.72 a barrel in 2024, amid fears of escalation in conflicts worldwide.

Wars rage in energy-sensitive areas such as the Middle East, Ukraine and large swathes of Africa as President elect Donald Trump prepares to take over as the head of U.S. armed forces.

Azerbaijan's president accused Russia of trying to cover up its role in a plane crash that killed 38 people, delivering a harsh condemnation that signaled a reversal of longstanding power dynamics between Russia and former Soviet republics.

Natural-gas futures plunged for the session, but remained up sharply for the year.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-31-24 1725ET