3 Stocks Pushing The Basic Materials Sector Lower

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

All three major indices are trading up today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) trading up 22 points (0.2%) at 12,810 as of Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, 11:49 AM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,635 issues advancing vs. 1,204 declining with 167 unchanged.

The Basic Materials sector currently sits up 0.2% versus the S&P 500, which is up 0.0%. On the negative front, top decliners within the sector include Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras (PBR), down 2.3%, and POSCO (PKX), down 2.0%. Top gainers within the sector include Eldorado Gold (EGO), up 3.0%, Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC), up 1.4%, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), up 1.6%, Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX), up 1.2% and Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO), up 1.3%.

TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the sector lower today:

3. Braskem (BAK) is one of the companies pushing the Basic Materials sector lower today. As of noon trading, Braskem is down $0.73 (-5.6%) to $12.33 on average volume Thus far, 198,043 shares of Braskem exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 488,200 shares. The stock has ranged in price between $12.26-$12.62 after having opened the day at $12.53 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $13.06.

Braskem S.A., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells basic petrochemicals and thermoplastic resins in Brazil and internationally. It operates through five segments: Basic Petrochemicals, Polyolefins, Vinyls, Foreign Businesses, and Chemical Distribution. Braskem has a market cap of $5.1 billion and is part of the chemicals industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 8.6, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 7.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are no analysts that rate Braskem a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 4 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Braskem as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, increase in net income and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow. Get the full Braskem Ratings Report now.

Holiday Special: Subscribe to Action Alerts PLUS to see how Jim Cramer trades his $2.5 Million+ portfolio for 51% off the list price. Your first 14-days are FREE: Sign up today to get e-mail alerts before every trade

1 2 3 Next › Last »

For more information on Braskem SA click any of the following:

• Braskem SA Stock Price

• Braskem SA Analyst Ratings

• Braskem SA Key Stats & Profile

• Braskem SA Earnings

• Braskem SA Ratio Comparison

• Braskem SA Growth Rates

• Braskem SA Balance Sheet

• Braskem SA Cash Flow

• Braskem SA Income Statement