Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras (PBR.A): Today's Featured Energy Leader

Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras ( PBR.A) pushed the Energy industry higher today making it today's featured energy leader. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.4%. By the end of trading, Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras rose 52 cents (2.7%) to $19.58 on light volume. Throughout the day, 5.2 million shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 8.6 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $19.19-$19.63 after having opened the day at $19.23 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $19.06. Other companies within the Energy industry that increased today were: Tengasco ( TGC), up 7.5%, GeoGlobal Resources ( GGR), up 7.1%, Hercules Offshore ( HERO), up 6.1%, and Pacific Drilling ( PACD), up 5.7%.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. primarily engages in oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, trade, and transportation businesses. Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras has a market cap of $124.44 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 7.1, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 18.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

TheStreet Ratings rates Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, attractive valuation levels 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 Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Whiting USA Trust I ( WHX), down 14.9%, Renewable Energy Group ( REGI), down 9.2%, Saratoga Resources ( SARA), down 7.7%, and Isramco ( ISRL), down 6.8%, were all laggards within the energy industry with Chesapeake Energy ( CHK) being today's energy industry laggard.

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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.