Energy stocks were lower late Monday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.1% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) shedding 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was slightly lower and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index fell 0.8%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil shed 0.1% to $68.62 a barrel, and global benchmark Brent decreased 0.1% to $72.02 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.8% to $3.25 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, BP (BP) interim Chair Ian Tyler is considering entering the race to become the company's permanent chair, six weeks after Albert Manifold's ousting, Sky News reported. BP shares were down 0.4%.