BP PLC (BP): Today's Featured Basic Materials Loser

BP (BP) pushed the Basic Materials sector lower today making it today's featured Basic Materials loser. The sector as a whole closed the day down 2.2%. By the end of trading, BP fell 34 cents (-0.8%) to $42.02 on average volume. Throughout the day, 5.9 million shares of BP exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7.9 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $41.84-$42.54 after having opened the day at $42.44 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $42.36. Other company's within the Basic Materials sector that declined today were: Tri-Valley Corporation (TIV), down 33.8%, Lizhan Environmental (LZEN), down 17.9%, Gibraltar Industries (ROCK), down 14.5%, and Houston American Energy Corporation (HUSA), down 13.4%.

BP p.l.c. provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, lubricants to engines, and petrochemicals products. BP has a market cap of $135.05 billion and is part of the energy industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 5.3, equal to the average energy industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 0.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate BP a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and four rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates BP as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, robust revenue growth, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.

• You can view the full BP Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Kingold Jewelry (KGJI), up 23.4%, Penn Virginia Corporation (PVA), up 11.2%, Cereplast (CERP), up 9.8%, and Pacific Booker Minerals (PBM), up 9%, were all gainers within the basic materials sector with Titanium Metals Corporation (TIE) being today's featured basic materials sector winner.

• 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 BP PLC click any of the following:

• BP PLC Stock Price

• BP PLC Analyst Ratings

• BP PLC Key Stats & Profile

• BP PLC Earnings

• BP PLC Ratio Comparison

• BP PLC Growth Rates

• BP PLC Balance Sheet

• BP PLC Cash Flow

• BP PLC Income Statement