Oil firms rise after US issues new Iran sanctions

S&P 500 energy index .SPNY rise 2.4%, tracking gains in crude prices O/R

Brent Crude futures LCOc1 up 1.3% at $66.69/barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rise 1.5% to $63.39/barrel

Crude prices rose to the highest in two weeks amid low liquidity ahead of the Easter holidays after the U.S imposed new sanctions to curb Iranian oil exports, elevating supply concerns

Energy majors Chevron CVX.N and Exxon Mobil XOM.N up 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively

Conocophillips COP.N , APA Corp APA.O, Halliburton HAL.N and Diamondback Energy FANG.O rise between 3.4% to 5.2%, were among the top percentage gainers on the energy index

Oilfield services companies SLB SLB.N and Baker Hughes BKR.O up 1.7% and 2.3%, respectively

Refiners Valero Energy VLO.N and Phillips 66 PSX.N up 2.3% and 2.5%, respectively