Chesapeake Energy Corp (CHK): Today's Featured Basic Materials Winner

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) pushed the Basic Materials sector higher today making it today's featured basic materials winner. The sector as a whole closed the day down 0.2%. By the end of trading, Chesapeake Energy rose 33 cents (1.8%) to $19.04 on average volume. Throughout the day, 31.8 million shares of Chesapeake Energy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 35.1 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $18.69-$19.50 after having opened the day at $18.95 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $18.71. Other companies within the Basic Materials sector that increased today were: Gevo (GEVO), up 30.9%, James River Coal Company (JRCC), up 27.1%, Pure Bioscience (PURE), up 22.8%, and China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources (SHZ), up 20.3%.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Check out TheStreet's special offer for Real Money, headlined by Jim Cramer, now!

Chesapeake Energy Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and oil properties in the United States. The company also offers marketing, midstream, drilling, and other oilfield services. Chesapeake Energy has a market cap of $11.7 billion and is part of the energy industry. The company has a P/E ratio of seven, below the average energy industry P/E ratio of 7.3 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 16.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate Chesapeake Energy a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and 15 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Chesapeake Energy as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, compelling growth in net income and reasonable valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including weak operating cash flow, poor profit margins and generally poor debt management.

• You can view the full Chesapeake Energy Ratings Report.

On the negative front, PostRock Energy (PSTR), down 11.1%, Lizhan Environmental (LZEN), down 10.5%, Great Northern Iron Ore (GNI), down 9.4%, and Atlatsa Resources (ATL), down 8.7%, were all losers within the basic materials sector with Schlumberger (SLB) 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 Chesapeake Energy Corp click any of the following:

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Stock Price

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Analyst Ratings

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Key Stats & Profile

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Earnings

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Ratio Comparison

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Growth Rates

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Balance Sheet

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Cash Flow

• Chesapeake Energy Corp Income Statement