Energy index hits record high as oil rally lifts sector

** S&P 500 energy index .SPNY hits record high, tracking higher crude prices, last up 1.4% O/R

** Brent crude futures up 2.2% at $117.41/barrel, on course to finish over 13% higher for the month

** US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 2.04% to $104.8/barrel, heading for a monthly jump of about 15%

** Prices rise as fears of an escalation in the US-Iran conflict and a tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz heighten supply concerns

** Phillips 66 PSX.N, Valero Energy VLO.N, Marathon Petroleum MPC.N and Diamondback Energy FANG.O gain between 2.2% and 2.7%, among the top percentage gainers on the energy index

** Energy majors: ExxonMobil XOM.N up 1.4% and Chevron CVX.N rises 1.9%

** Separately, XOM and CVX beat Q3 profit estimates as surging refining margins boosted earnings from their fuel-making businesses

** Oilfield services companies: Baker Hughes BKR.O up ~2% and Halliburton HAL.N gains 1.4%

** ConocoPhillips COP.N, EOG Resources EOG.N, Occidental Petroleum OXY.N and EQT Corp EQT.N up between 1% and 1.9%