Energy stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.2% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was up 0.4%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index fell 1%.

Brent crude prices crossed $100 per barrel for the first time since late July as Iran attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz, deepening the Middle East conflict.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 3.6% to $96.39 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract gained 3.5% to $101.34 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 3.8% to $2.81 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, New Fortress Energy (NFE) said Wednesday that its board approved a 1-for-50 reverse stock split of its class A common stock. The reverse stock split is intended to help the company regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. New Fortress shares rose 4.6%.