Shares of energy companies were flat amid merger activity.

Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy have agreed to merge in an all stock-transaction valued at $7.4 billion that creates one of the largest natural-gas producers in the U.S. The merger follows a wave of domestic deals, including Exxon Mobil's multibillion-dollar agreement to buy oil driller Pioneer Natural Resources.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-11-24 1807ET