Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU): Today's Featured Basic Materials Winner

Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) 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%. By the end of trading, Peabody Energy Corporation rose $1.36 (6.3%) to $23.01 on average volume. Throughout the day, 10.3 million shares of Peabody Energy Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 9.4 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $21.41-$23.25 after having opened the day at $21.54 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $21.65. Other companies within the Basic Materials sector that increased today were: USEC (USU), up 21.3%, Syntroleum Corporation (SYNM), up 16.9%, Alpha Natural Resources (ANR), up 15.1%, and Flotek Industries (FTK), up 14%.

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Peabody Energy Corporation engages in the mining of coal. It mines, prepares, and sells thermal coal to electric utilities and metallurgical coal to industrial customers. Peabody Energy Corporation has a market cap of $5.86 billion and is part of the metals & mining industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 6.5, above the average metals & mining industry P/E ratio of 6.3 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 34% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 18 analysts that rate Peabody Energy Corporation a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and none rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Peabody Energy Corporation as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth and attractive valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, generally poor debt management and poor profit margins.

• You can view the full Peabody Energy Ratings Report.

On the negative front, GeoGlobal Resources (GGR), down 15.7%, Alon USA Energy (ALJ), down 9.2%, OM Group (OMG), down 8.8%, and Cereplast (CERP), down 8.2%, were all laggards within the basic materials sector with Denbury Resources (DNR) being today's basic materials sector laggard.

• 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 Peabody Energy Corporation click any of the following:

• Peabody Energy Corporation Stock Price

• Peabody Energy Corporation Analyst Ratings

• Peabody Energy Corporation Key Stats & Profile

• Peabody Energy Corporation Earnings

• Peabody Energy Corporation Ratio Comparison

• Peabody Energy Corporation Growth Rates

• Peabody Energy Corporation Balance Sheet

• Peabody Energy Corporation Cash Flow

• Peabody Energy Corporation Income Statement