By Steve Gelsi 
 

Shares of petroleum producers led mild advances in the energy sector on Friday, as investors weighed bigger gains in the broad market against lower crude oil prices on the heels of the monthly U.S. jobs report.

The Amex Oil Index (XOI) rose 0.7% to 965. Component Total SA (TOT) rose 2.2% to $53.81 after it drew an upgrade to buy from hold at Citigroup.

The Amex Natural Gas Index (XNG) fell 0.2% to 396. Component National Fuel Gas (NFG) rose 4% to $32.98, but Devon Energy (DVN) dropped 3.5% to $57.41.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX) rose 0.8% to 135. Component National Oilwell Varco (NOV) rose 1.8% to $28.52. Exterran Holdings Inc. (EXH) dropped 2.8% to $22.93.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 173 points as Wall Street pinned its hopes on a government bailout package.

Crude prices fell $1.62 to $39.55.

Energy stocks up for week as of Thursday's close

The Amex Oil Index closed at 958 on Thursday, up from its close of 935 last Friday.

The Amex Natural Gas Index ended Thursday at 397, well above its ending point of 375 a week ago on Jan. 30.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Index closed at 134 on Thursday, above its ending point of 127 last Friday.

-Steve Gelsi; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com