Weatherford International Ltd (WFT): Today's Featured Basic Materials 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.

Weatherford International (WFT) pushed the Basic Materials sector higher today making it today's featured basic materials winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.3%. By the end of trading, Weatherford International rose 31 cents (2.7%) to $11.81 on light volume. Throughout the day, 6.1 million shares of Weatherford International exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 10.7 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $11.51-$11.81 after having opened the day at $11.62 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $11.50. Other companies within the Basic Materials sector that increased today were: BMB Munai (BMBM), up 19.1%, New Concept Energy (GBR), up 18.5%, Platinum Group Metal (PLG), up 17.7%, and China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources (SHZ), up 12.9%.

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Weatherford International Ltd. provides equipment and services used in the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. Weatherford International has a market cap of $8.82 billion and is part of the energy industry. Shares are up 3% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are 13 analysts that rate Weatherford International a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and eight rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Weatherford International as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, generally higher debt management risk and disappointing return on equity.

• You can view the full Weatherford International Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Andatee China Marine Fuel Services Corporat (AMCF), down 15.1%, Kingold Jewelry (KGJI), down 12%, Houston American Energy Corporation (HUSA), down 8.5%, and Mexco Energy Corporation (MXC), down 8.2%, were all laggards within the basic materials sector with Linn Energy (LINE) 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.

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For more information on Weatherford International Ltd click any of the following:

• Weatherford International Ltd Stock Price

• Weatherford International Ltd Analyst Ratings

• Weatherford International Ltd Key Stats & Profile

• Weatherford International Ltd Earnings

• Weatherford International Ltd Ratio Comparison

• Weatherford International Ltd Growth Rates

• Weatherford International Ltd Balance Sheet

• Weatherford International Ltd Cash Flow

• Weatherford International Ltd Income Statement