In the latest look at stocks ordered by largest market capitalization, Russell 3000 component Ingredion Inc ( INGR) was identified as having a larger market cap than the smaller end of the S&P 500, for example Peabody Energy Corp ( BTU), according to The Online Investor.
Market capitalization is an important data point for investors to keep an eye on, for various reasons. The most basic reason is that it gives a true comparison of the value attributed by the stock market to a given company's stock. Many beginning investors look at one stock trading at $10 and another trading at $20 and mistakenly think the latter company is worth twice as much — that of course is a completely meaningless comparison without knowing how many shares of each company exist. But comparing market capitalization (factoring in those share counts) creates a true "apples-to-apples" comparison of the value of two stocks. In the case of Ingredion Inc ( INGR), the market cap is now $5.13B, versus Peabody Energy Corp ( BTU) at $5.02B. START SLIDESHOW:
The 20 Largest U.S. Companies By Market Capitalization »

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, INGR and BTU collectively make up 1.17% of the WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund ETF (GNAT) which is higher by about 1.1% on the day Wednesday.
At the closing bell, INGR is up about 2.2%, while BTU is up about 1% on the day Wednesday.
At the closing bell, INGR is up about 2.2%, while BTU is up about 1% on the day Wednesday.