Basic Materials Stocks

basic materials sector

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The materials sector includes construction materials

Materials stocks account for companies in the business of discovery and procurement of raw materials. Specifically, materials stocks cover mining, metals, packaging, chemicals, and forestry products.

Materials stocks fluctuate with business and are much more valuable in a strong economy. The basic materials sector responds to the supply and demand of certain materials, particularly precious metals, and supplies the needs of construction, which is also an indicator of market strength.

Current Basic Materials Sector Quote (CIX: MSECTOR8)

Expect More Pain Ahead for U.S. Steel Stock as Macroeconomic Headwinds Persist

U.S. Steel stock faces economic headwinds that'll result in margin compression and higher debt. Credit metrics likely to worsen in the coming quarters.

Cabot Corporation (CBT) is Ready to Break Down

The basic materials sector continues to struggle, and one stock that looks particularly weak is Cabot Corporation (NYSE:CBT).

Trade of the Day: Chemours Co (NYSE:CC)

As far as oil goes, it is in a kind of rally mode right now, and I'm also looking for strength in gold. Both of those factors make Chemours look appealing.

Trade of the Day: Olin (OLN)

While we are not officially in a bear market, many individual stocks are already down 20% from their highs, so it’s certainly felt like a bear market for the last few months. In this environment, I’m recommending a bearish play on a materials (specifically, chemicals) stock.

Chemours (CC): Can You Trust a 14% Dividend Yield?

DuPont spinoff Chemours (CC) is going to be a hot mess out of the gate, but investors could enjoy bargain prices on CC stock before the year ends.

The Energy M&A Boom Is On! Play It With These Oil ETFs

M&A activity in the energy space is rising, and oil ETFs are the way to play it. These two funds offer the best chance to find winners.

4 T. Boone Pickens Oil Stocks to Buy

Legendary oil man T. Boone Pickens made a few aggressive, attractive investments in oil stocks last quarter. Here are some future winners from TBP's most recent 13F.

Coal Stocks: A Worthwhile Gamble in Penny Stocks (ACI, ANR)

While Arch Coal Inc (ACI) and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (ANR) both qualify as penny stocks, they're far less risky than most that deserve the pejorative term.

Are Steel Stocks the Ultimate Contrarian Metals Play? (SLX)

A glut on the market and Beijing's slowing economy have sent steel stocks falling, but the SLX ETF could be a great long-term play on the sector.

3 Timber REITs to Buy for Growing Returns

Worried about your portfolio? Go for a walk in the woods with timber REITs. Here are three of the best.

2 Materials Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Growth

Materials stocks have hit a bottom, which means the only thing left is to buy 'em and wait for the imminent recovery.

Are You Prepared for a Stronger Dollar?

What happens to the stock market if the U.S. dollar rallies? This question isn’t getting much press, but dollar strength could surprise the markets in 2014.

This Materials Stock Should Make a Huge Comeback

Materials stocks have taken a beating in 2013. But expected strengthening in China should push iron ore into a major resurgence.

The Massive Repercussions of Rising Treasury Yields

The sharp rise in Treasury yields has led to massive disruptions in the stock market, blurring the lines between rate sensitivity and more sustainable, fundamental trends.

More Sorrow Ahead for Joy Global

Basic materials stocks have been dismal this year ... and the pain isn't over for Joy Global. Here's a conservative way to play for more downside.

3 Short Squeeze Candidates for July

A new wave of cash flow into stocks from the flagging bond market is pressuring short sellers -- especially for these three names.

First-Half Sector Winners Offer a Hint of What’s to Come

Financials, healthcare and consumer discretionary stocks are sheltered from both China's economic weakness and rising bond yields, which bodes well for their second-half outlook.

Steel Stocks Starting to Show Their Mettle

The SLX steel fund has generated a hat trick of bullish signals. However, traders would be best off showing their bullishness through outperforming Nucor.

Is Global Growth Really Back on Track?

The rotation toward cyclical stocks would indicate that the global growth outlook is improving, but that's not the case. How long can cyclicals outpace defensive stocks if global growth continues to slow?