Shares of energy companies rose slightly, in anticipation of a stimulus deal.

U.S. oil futures closed 1.5% higher at $41.46 a barrel, the highest closing price since Sept. 2 as investors bet a deal could soon be reached by Washington lawmakers to provide an economic stimulus package for households and businesses hurt by coronavirus.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated that a final meeting between her and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday afternoon would determine the fate of the second round of stimulus.

Natural gas futures ended at their highest level since late January 2019, closing the session up 4.2% at $2.91-per-million British thermal units as the market continues its upward march toward the $3 level.

Pioneer Natural Resources Co. has agreed to buy Parsley Energy for $4.5 billion, the latest in a flurry of U.S. oil tie-ups as companies seek to weather low prices brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-20-20 1644ET