Large Cap Basic Materials Stocks Are Up

The Basic Materials sector is trading up more than 1% today, and some of its largest components are leading the way.? Following is some information on five of this sector��s largest companies.

• Freeport-McMoRan Copper (NYSE:FCX): Bloomberg is reporting that demands for the company��s copper is decreasing in Europe, staying the same in the US, and increasing in the Middle East and Asia. The shares recently traded at $33.26, up $1.13, or 3.52%, on the day.? The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $28.85 to $61.35 and its market capitalization is $31.45 billion.? About the company: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., through its subsidiary, is a copper, gold and molybdenum mining company.? The Company primarily mines for copper and owns mining interests in Chile and Indonesia.? Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold also, through a subsidiary, is involved in smelting and refining of copper concentrates.
• Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON): Shares are trading up after the company reported a loss of $0.22, narrower than the $0.27 loss analysts expected. The shares recently traded at $65.42, up $2.47, or 3.92%, on the day.? The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $47.07 to $77.09 and its market capitalization is $35.12 billion.? About the company: Monsanto Corporation provides agricultural products for farmers.? The Company��s business segments are seeds and genomics.? Monsanto produces a wide range of seeds and develops biotechnology traits that assist farmers in controlling insects and weeds as well as provides other seed companies with genetic material and biotechnology traits for their seed brands.
• The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS): Despite options traders�� bearish outlook on the company, the shares are trading higher today.? The shares recently traded at $50.89, up $1.81, or 3.71%, on the day.? The shares have traded in a 52-wek range of $44.86 to $89.24 and its market capitalization is $22.68 billion.? About the company: The! Mosaic Company produces and distributes crop nutrients to the agricultural communities located in North America and other countries.? The Company��s principal products include concentrated phosphates, and potash.
• BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE:BHP): Shares of this company are trading up today on news that Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) upgraded from Neutral to Outperform. The shares recently traded at $68.62, up $1.60, or 2.43%, on the day.? The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $62.54 to $104.59 and its market capitalization is $182.99 billion. ? About the company: BHP Billiton Limited is an international resources company. ?? The Company��s principal business lines are mineral exploration and production, including coal, iron ore, gold, titanium, ferroalloys, nickel and copper concentrate, as well as petroleum exploration, production, and refining.
• Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (NYSE:POT): The shares recently traded at $43.99, up $1.65, or 3.9%, on the day.? The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $39.54 to $63.97 and its market capitalization is $37.64 billion. About the company: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc. produces potash, phosphate, and nitrogen to the agricultural and industrial industries worldwide.? The Company conducts operations in Canada, Chile, the United States, Brazil, and Trinidad.