For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – August 18, 2015 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog includethe Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK), Range Resources Corp. (RRC), QEP Resources Inc. (QEP), EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) and Devon Energy Corp. ( DVN). Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog: Natural Gas Slips on Bearish Build The U.S. Energy Department's weekly inventory release showed a larger-than-expected increase in natural gas supplies. Following the bearish inventory news, natural gas prices plunged 5% but then recovered somewhat to end the week at $2.80 per million Btu (MMBtu). Nevertheless, with production remaining plentiful and expected to outpace demand for most of 2015, the commodity is likely to stay depressed for a while. About the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report The Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report – brought out by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) every Thursday since 2002 – includes updates on natural gas market prices, the latest storage level estimates, recent weather data and other market activities or events. The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of natural gas. It is an indicator of current gas prices and volatility that affect businesses of natural gas-weighted companies and related support plays. Analysis of the Data Stockpiles held in underground storage in the lower 48 states rose by 65 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended Aug 7, 2015, above the guided range (of 53–57 Bcf gain) as per the analysts surveyed by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Financial Inc. The increase – the nineteenth successive weekly injection – was also more than the 5-year (2010–2014) average addition of 48 Bcf for the reported week though it lagged last year’s build of 79 Bcf. Following the most recent climb, the current storage level – at 2.977 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) – is up 521 Bcf (21.2%) from last year and is 81 Bcf (2.8%) above the five-year average. Prices Drop After Bearish Storage Data Gas prices skidded almost 5% to $2.79 per MMBtu – their steepest one-day drop since March – Thursday in a selloff spurred by the above-average injection into storage. However, the commodity edged up 0.5% later in the week on predictions of strong late summer cooling demand with forecasts of warmer weather across majority of the country over the next few days. Nevertheless, from a peak of about $13.50 per MMBtu in 2008 to below $3 now – sinking in between to a 10-year low of under $2 in 2012 – the plummeting value of natural gas represents a decline of around 80% over seven years. With production from the major shale plays remaining strong and the commodity’s demand failing to keep pace with this supply surge, natural gas prices have been held back. Even the summer cooling demand has been of little help. Gas-Weighted Companies to Suffer The price weakness translates into limited upside for natural gas-weighted companies like Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK), Range Resources Corp. (RRC), QEP Resources Inc. (QEP), EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) and Devon Energy Corp. ( DVN). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> About Zacks Equity Research Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term. Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons. Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today. Find out What is happening in the stock market today on zacks.com. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CHESAPEAKE ENGY (CHK): Free Stock Analysis Report RANGE RESOURCES (RRC): Free Stock Analysis Report QEP RESOURCES (QEP): Free Stock Analysis Report EOG RES INC (EOG): Free Stock Analysis Report DEVON ENERGY (DVN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
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