US energy sector climbs on hopes of firmer demand

** S&P 500 Energy Sector SPN rises 0.7%, tracking gains in crude prices

** Brent crude BRN1! up 0.3% at $83.51/bbl and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CL1! up 0.3% at $79.48/bbl, after economic indicators from big consumers China and the United States bolstered hopes for higher demand

** China's industrial output rose 6.7% year-on-year in April as a recovery in its manufacturing sector gathered pace

** U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in April, data showed on Wednesday, boosting expectations of lower interest rates

** Energy majors Exxon Mobil XOM and Chevron CVX rise 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively

** Shares of Diamondback Energy FANG, EQT Corp EQT, Baker Hughes BKR, Marathon Petroleum MPC and Valero Energy VLO are among the top pct. gainers on the energy index, advancing between 0.8% and 2.4%