Filed Under: , Tickers in this Article: SSD, LYB, RAVN, NEM,
TPCG, WLK, DEL It's been a good morning for the market. The
Nasdaq has moved up 1.4%; the S&P 500 is trading up 1.1%; and
the Dow has risen 0.8%. The basic materials sector is the
category of stocks that accounts for companies involved with the
discovery, development and processing of raw materials. This
sector includes the mining and refining of metals, chemical
producers and forestry products. The basic materials sector is
sensitive to changes in the business cycle. Because the sector
supplies materials for construction, it depends on a strong
economy. This sector is also sensitive to supply and demand
fluctuations because the price of raw materials, such as gold or
other metals, is largely demand driven.  Underperforming the
market overall, the Basic Materials sector (XLB) is up 1%, and
these are its current biggest movers: CompanyMarket
CapPercentage Change Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc.
(NYSE:SSD)$1.29 billion-9.1% LyondellBasell Industries NV