Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY): Today's Featured Basic Materials Winner

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) pushed the Basic Materials sector higher today making it today's featured basic materials winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 1.8%. By the end of trading, Occidental Petroleum Corporation rose $1.89 (2.1%) to $90.11 on average volume. Throughout the day, 4.2 million shares of Occidental Petroleum Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.8 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $88.15-$90.26 after having opened the day at $89.07 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $88.22. Other companies within the Basic Materials sector that increased today were: GeoResources (GEOI), up 18.7%, Global Geophysical Services (GGS), up 17.5%, Sino Clean Energy (SCEI), up 15%, and Century Aluminum Company (CENX), up 11.8%.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Oil and Gas; Chemical; and Midstream, Marketing, and Other. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a market cap of $71.3 billion and is part of the energy industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 10.8, above the average energy industry P/E ratio of 10.6 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 5.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 12 analysts that rate Occidental Petroleum Corporation a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and four rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Occidental Petroleum Corporation as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

• You can view the full Occidental Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Ikonics Corporation (IKNX), down 11.3%, China Gengsheng Minerals (CHGS), down 10.1%, SMF Energy Corporation (FUEL), down 9.1%, and Pacific Booker Minerals (PBM), down 8.1%, were all losers within the basic materials sector with National Oilwell Varco (NOV) being today's basic materials sector loser.

• Use our basic materials section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the basic materials sector could consider Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) while those bearish on the basic materials sector could consider ProShares Short Basic Materials Fd (SBM).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Occidental Petroleum Corporation click any of the following:

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Stock Price

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Analyst Ratings

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Key Stats & Profile

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Earnings

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Ratio Comparison

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Growth Rates

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Balance Sheet

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Cash Flow

• Occidental Petroleum Corporation Income Statement