NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Energy stocks traded mixed in early action on Thursday as investors looked toward lower oil prices, a weekly natural gas inventory update and gains in the broad market. The Amex Oil Index rose 0.5% to 1,232. The Amex Natural Gas Index fell 0.3% to 545. Plains Exploration rose 1.5% to $37.04 after it agreed to sell properties to Occidental Petroleum . Occidental rose a nickel to $76.70. Crude futures fell $1.84 to $103.89. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this new...
