Energy companies dip on rate-cut doubts and Russia sanctions relief hopes

S&P 500 energy index .SPNY falls 1.1% as oil prices edge lower O/R

Brent crude LCOc1 down 6 cents at $62.50/barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 dip 3 cents at $58.03/barrel

Oil prices fall as investors weigh the chances of a U.S. rate cut against the prospect of a Ukraine peace deal that could lead to an easing of sanctions on major producer Russia

Oil majors Exxon Mobil XOM.N and Chevron CVX.N fall 1.5% and ~1%, respectively

EQT Corp EQT.N, Valero Energy VLO.N, Expand Energy EXE.O and EOG Resources EOG.N fall between 1.4% and 2.4%; among biggest pct decliners on the energy index

Refiners Phillips 66 PSX.N down 1.4% and Marathon Petroleum MPC.N down ~1%

Oilfield services company Halliburton HAL.N dips ~1% and Baker Hughes BKR.O down marginally