Marathon Oil Corp (MRO): Today's Featured Energy Laggard

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.

Marathon Oil (MRO) pushed the Energy industry lower today making it today's featured Energy laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.9%. By the end of trading, Marathon Oil fell 50 cents (-1.6%) to $30.09 on average volume. Throughout the day, six million shares of Marathon Oil exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 6.8 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $29.66-$30.60 after having opened the day at $30.46 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $30.59. Other companies within the Energy industry that declined today were: GeoGlobal Resources (GGR), down 55.3%, Zion Oil & Gas (ZN), down 17.5%, Samson Oil & Gas (SSN), down 13%, and ZaZa Energy (ZAZA), down 10.6%.

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Marathon Oil Corporation operates as an energy company worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Exploration and Production, Oil Sands Mining, and Integrated Gas. Marathon Oil has a market cap of $22.02 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 12.6, equal to the average energy industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 4.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are nine analysts that rate Marathon Oil a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and seven rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Marathon Oil as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance and attractive valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income and weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Marathon Oil Ratings Report.

On the positive front, GeoPetro Resources Company (GPR), up 11.1%, Houston American Energy Corporation (HUSA), up 9.8%, Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limite (LPH), up 7.9%, and Magellan Petroleum Corporation (MPET), up 6.3%, were all gainers within the energy industry with Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) being today's featured energy industry leader.

• Use our energy section to find industry-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 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 Marathon Oil Corp click any of the following:

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• Marathon Oil Corp Cash Flow

• Marathon Oil Corp Income Statement