Southwestern Energy Company (SWN): Today's Featured Basic Materials 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.

Southwestern Energy Company (SWN) pushed the Basic Materials sector lower today making it today's featured Basic Materials laggard. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.5%. By the end of trading, Southwestern Energy Company fell 39 cents (-1.2%) to $33.31 on average volume. Throughout the day, 4.6 million shares of Southwestern Energy Company exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.6 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $33.26-$33.90 after having opened the day at $33.54 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $33.70. Other companies within the Basic Materials sector that declined today were: Endeavour International (END), down 28.1%, Penford Corporation (PENX), down 11.3%, GMX Resources (GMXR), down 9%, and Goodrich Petroleum (GDP), down 7.8%.

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Southwestern Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas and oil primarily in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream Services. Southwestern Energy Company has a market cap of $11.65 billion and is part of the energy industry. Shares are down 0.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 10 analysts that rate Southwestern Energy Company a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and 18 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Southwestern Energy Company as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in stock price during the past year and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Southwestern Energy Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Cal Dive International (DVR), up 16.3%, BioFuel Energy Corporation (BIOF), up 16.3%, Pioneer Energy Services (PES), up 16.2%, and Alpha Natural Resources (ANR), up 13.9%, were all gainers within the basic materials sector with Baker Hughes (BHI) being today's featured basic materials sector leader.

• 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 Southwestern Energy Company click any of the following:

• Southwestern Energy Company Stock Price

• Southwestern Energy Company Analyst Ratings

• Southwestern Energy Company Key Stats & Profile

• Southwestern Energy Company Earnings

• Southwestern Energy Company Ratio Comparison

• Southwestern Energy Company Growth Rates

• Southwestern Energy Company Balance Sheet

• Southwestern Energy Company Cash Flow

• Southwestern Energy Company Income Statement