Basic Materials Stocks

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)

Materials’ Recent Surge Won’t Stick

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician May 2, 2013

XLB faces a persistent ceiling at $40; another failure will make these bear call spreads pan out.

What Materials Stocks Reveal About the Rest of the Market

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Apr 26, 2013

The Materials ETF (XLB) is approaching a 52-week high. Find out what the sector's next moves will reveal about market leadership and the outlook for economic growth.

Dr. Copper Catches the Flu

By Aaron Levitt, InvestorPlace Contributor Apr 19, 2013

The heavy pressure on copper prices doesn't say anything reassuring about the global economic picture and signals that right now, defense might be the best offense.

13 Must-See Charts for April

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Apr 1, 2013

The stock market has been going up for months, but there still is an abundance of fresh trading ideas as we move into April -- especially in these sectors.

Don’t Shun Every Last Materials Stock

By Louis Navellier, Editor, Growth Investor Mar 22, 2013

While many of the bigger metals and mining stocks remain under pressure, a number of smaller, more specialized materials stocks are starting to turn around.

Hot Cement Stocks Starting to Show Cracks

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer Mar 12, 2013

Cement stocks Texas Industries and Eagle Materials have unsurprisingly exploded along with the rest of homebuilders, but there's little gas left in the bull case.

10 Stocks for a Made-in-America Portfolio

By Alyssa Oursler, InvestorPlace Contributor Jan 25, 2013

The U.S. is starting to look like the least-ugly option in a globe full of uncertainty. If you agree, here are a few concentrated ways to play America.

Alcoa: From Bellwether to Red Herring

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer Jan 8, 2013

Alcoa's fourth-quarter earnings expectations look rosy -- which is better than you can say for the broader market

These 9 Unloved Materials Stocks Have Stopped Bleeding

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Dec 11, 2012

Signs of a China recovery have lit a fire under natural-resource stocks. Can the rally in beaten-down materials continue, or is another disappointment at hand?

Foiled in 2012, Alcoa Stock Looking Up in ’13

By Jeff Reeves Nov 30, 2012

Unless you believe that the global economy is doomed for decades, you should start plotting an early entry into cyclical plays like Alcoa.

The One Chart Investors in Steel, Coal and Aluminum Stocks MUST See

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 26, 2012

What's the next move for steel, coal and aluminum? Of all the places to look, the 10-year Treasury note might surprisingly provide a clue.

Natural Resources Stocks: Set to Rebound?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 18, 2012

The most beaten-up natural resources stocks are finally stabilizing -- making it a good time to check out the coal, steel and mining sectors.

Sector Rotation Strengthens Steel Stocks

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician Oct 12, 2012

A seemingly short-lived market correction is giving strength to financials and basic materials. Make a rotation-based bet with this options trade.

An Investment in a Higher Power

By James Brumley, InvestorPlace Feature Writer Aug 31, 2012

InvestorPlace contributor James Brumley chatted with Canada Lithium, North America's only producer of battery-grade lithium, and learned more about the company.

Which Sectors Should Outperform for the Rest of the Year?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Aug 20, 2012

September kicks off a volatile period, creating opportunities for traders and investors. Find out what sectors are the most likely to outperform the market.

Which Story Line Will Steel Stocks Follow?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor Aug 13, 2012

Steel stocks have low valuations and, in some case, attractive dividends. But until industry fundamentals turn around, any rally should be viewed with suspicion.