Energy Stocks: Winners and Losers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Holly Energy Partners (HEP), Idemitsu Kosan (IDKOY), Linc Energy (LNCGY) and STR Holdings (STRI) were top gainers last week, while SandRidge Energy (SD) Forest Oil Corporation (FST), Brigham Exploration (BEXP), Vestas Wind Systems (VWDRY), RPC (RES) and Dril-Quip (DRQ) were top losers.

Holly Energy Partners advanced 2.4%, the highest gainer in a week when most energy stocks ended in the red.

Idemitsu Kosan, in the wake of better-than-expected earnings, rose 1.6%. Net profit soared to $750 million. According to International Resource News, the company is in discussions to invest in the Nghi Son refinery project in Vietnam.

Linc Energy rose by a marginal 0.2%.

STR Holdings moved higher on better-than-estimated results. First-quarter sales were $92.9 million, compared to an estimated $92.9 million. Adjusted EPS was 33 cents against the estimated 32 cents.

SandRidge was the top loser, declining 16.2% during the week after reporting disappointing earnings. Net loss for the first quarter of 2011 was $10.1 million against an estimated profit of $5.4 million. Last year, net profit for the same quarter was $12.42 million. Consequently, EPS was negative at 2 cents, compared to estimates of 1.8 cents for the quarter.

First Oil dipped 15.8% during the week after failing to meet EPS and revenue estimates. The company reported first quarter EPS of 19 cents against the estimated 34 cents. Revenue was $203.1 million compared to $232.4 million in the quarter.

Brigham Exploration plunged 15.4% during the week.

Vestas Wind Systems lost 15.1% on a brokerage downgrade. Goldman Sachs cut Vestas to neutral on weak first quarter results. The brokerage firm cut the price target to DK180 ($34.60) from DK220 ($42.30).

Other decliners were RPC, Dril-Quip and Unit Corporation (UNT), down 14.8%, 14.7% and 14.4%, respectively.

SM Energy (SM) shed 14% after a brokerage downgrade. Equity analyst David Tameron of Wells Fargo cut SM Energy stock to market perform from outperform.

Imarex Energy (XEC) declined 13.8% last week on lower-than-estimated EPS. For first quarter 2011, EPS was reported at $1.37 per share, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.58. Revenue for the quarter slipped 5% to $426.6 million from the same period last year, beating the consensus estimate of $413.7 million.

Comstock Resources (CRK) shed 13.6% during the week.

Helmerich & Payne (HP) declined 13.1% last week on a brokerage downgrade. Equity analyst Charles Minervino of Susquehanna downgraded the stock to neutral from positive. The 12-month target price is $72 per share.

Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) slumped 12.9% last week.

OGX Petroleo (OGXPY) fell 12.7% last week. UBS cut the stock's price target on the expectation that first crude oil production from the Waimea prospect could be delayed. The company reported a net loss of $33.9 million in the first quarter compared to $56.9 million in the same period last year.

Helix Energy Solutions (HLX), Gasprom OAO (OGZPY), Concho Resources (CXO), Technip (TKPPY), Petroleum Geo Services (PGSVY), Atlas Energy (ATLS) and Atlas Pipeline Partners (APL) wiped out 12.6%, 11.8%, 11.7%, 11.5%, 11.5%, 11.4% and 11.4%, respectively.

Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR) lost 11.4% during the week. The company's lower-than-expected second-quarter production guidance did not excite the market. Besides, JPMorgan has an underweight rating on the stock with a price target of $73.4.

Oil giants ConocoPhillips (COP), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS/A), Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR) and Total (TOT) erased 7.5%, 7.3%, 8% and 8.1%, respectively.