Continental Resources Inc (CLR): Today's Featured Energy Winner

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

Continental Resources (CLR) pushed the Energy industry higher today making it today's featured energy winner. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.4%. By the end of trading, Continental Resources rose $1.30 (1.7%) to $76.90 on average volume. Throughout the day, one million shares of Continental Resources exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.2 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $74.52-$77.36 after having opened the day at $74.97 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $75.60. Other companies within the Energy industry that increased today were: Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limite (LPH), up 10.7%, Synergy Resources Corporation (SYRG), up 10.6%, PostRock Energy (PSTR), up 9.6%, and GeoGlobal Resources (GGR), up 8.4%.

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Continental Resources, Inc. engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas primarily in the north, south, and east regions of the United States. Continental Resources has a market cap of $13.45 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 16.6, below the average energy industry P/E ratio of 16.8 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 11.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are nine analysts that rate Continental Resources a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and nine rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Continental Resources as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, expanding profit margins and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company is trading at a premium valuation based on our review of its current price compared to such things as earnings and book value.

• You can view the full Continental Ratings Report.

On the negative front, GeoPetro Resources Company (GPR), down 14.9%, Geokinetics (GOK), down 9.7%, Ivanhoe Energy (IVAN), down 7.1%, and Cal Dive International (DVR), down 6.7%, were all laggards within the energy industry with Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras (PBR) being today's energy industry laggard.

• Use our energy section to find industry-relevant news.
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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the energy industry could consider Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) while those bearish on the energy industry could consider Proshares Short Oil & Gas (DDG).

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

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For more information on Continental Resources Inc click any of the following:

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• Continental Resources Inc Key Stats & Profile

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• Continental Resources Inc Growth Rates

• Continental Resources Inc Balance Sheet

• Continental Resources Inc Cash Flow

• Continental Resources Inc Income Statement