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

Jul 19, 2012 5:00 PM EDT

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).