Bob Chandler

Car and truck makers are looking to produce lighter vehicles. While they've traditionally used mostly steel, delivered by firms such as U.S. Steel, less weighty aluminum or advanced composites, supplied by companies like Alcoa and Hexcel Corp., are increasingly being employed. Which material provider will win the lightweight vehicle transition?

An increase in natural gas drilling may be coming. But who will gain the most from such a resurgence? While producers would likely get a boost, service providers such as Baker Hughes, National Oilwell Varco, or Superior Energy Services could prosper the most.

The search for yield has forced investors to look in some unfamiliar places. Generous payouts, seemingly backed by a national interest, may make major Chinese oil and gas producers like China Petroleum & Chemical, PetroChina, and CNOOC intriguing considerations for those seeking greater portfolio income.

It seemed pretty clear. The oil and gas industry was intent on divesting its gasoline retailing businesses. Then Energy Transfer Partners and Marathon Petroleum made some significant buys in the sector. Has something changed? Is gasoline retailing now a business to be desired?

Talisman Energy has been an oil and gas sector underperformer, but activist investor Carl Icahn thinks it has some potential. It's an opinion similar to his initial take on Chesapeake Energy, where the share price has almost doubled since he first became involved. With a 7%-plus stake and two seats on the board of directors, can Mr. Icahn’s activism unlock similar shareholder value at Talisman?

The recent suspension of Boardwalk Pipeline Partner's major expansion project looks like it could significantly hinder the MLP's future results. Investors may be better served by higher-priced competitors offering greater growth possibilities, like The Williams Companies or Kinder Morgan.

Keystone XL’s fate is still up in the air. But companies like TransCanada Corp., Suncor Energy, and Canadian Natural Resources will likely prosper whether the controversial pipeline gets approved or rejected.

Investors may want to be cautious on shares of refiners. Though recent share price advances may suggest otherwise, there is evidence that companies like Valero Energy, Tesoro Corp. and Marathon Petroleum could find profits harder to achieve longer-term.

Is the market rigged? It might not matter. History has shown a way investors can profit from stocks like Republic Services, Susquehanna Bancshares, or SpartanNash, even when the market is unfair.

Legacy laboratory service providers such as Laboratory Corporation of America and Quest Diagnostics have found growth hard to come by recently. But a new revenue source may provide these "old school" medical diagnostics specialists with a surprisingly lucrative future.

Gold miners have taken a beating over the last year and a half. But things may be getting better for the sector. Investors with a safety-first attitude may want to start considering the downtrodden gold producers again.

Murphy Oil, Hess, and Newfield Exploration have all been divesting assets. Such reorganizations often deliver increased shareholder value. Are these shrinking oil producers a good choice for investors?

Russia’s advance into Ukraine has sobered the general stock market. Concern over a major conflict with a world power is probably prudent. But Moscow's encroachment may end up being good news for North American fertilizer producers like Potash Corporation, The Mosaic Company, and Agrium.

Energy XXI shares plummeted recently after its acquisition of EPL Oil & Gas was announced. But the stock drop may have been overdone. Here are four reasons why Energy XXI might be a good buying opportunity.

Shares of offshore drillers like Ensco, Noble, and Transocean have greatly underperformed the market over the last year. More bad news may be on the way, but there are some compelling reasons why further price declines might represent a great buying opportunity.

I've always been tempted by LINN Energy's high yield, but long-term concerns significantly depressed its investment appeal. A shrewd acquisition and an attractive valuation, compared to peers like Denbury Resources and Cimarex Energy, have made me more bullish on LINN Energy recently. Will this change of heart ultimately pay off?

Tenet Healthcare shares took a beating recently after missing analyst expectations. But the selling may have been overdone. Compared to peers like HCA Holdings and LifePoint Hospitals, Tenet may be a compelling investment consideration. Here are two reasons to check into this hospital stock.

Utility stocks don't usually produce huge capital gains, but under certain circumstances, substantial returns can become more likely. Utilities PG&E, Northeast Utilities, and Sempra Energy have all delivered meaningful stock price gains to astute investors. Here's how they did it.

Iron ore mining stocks have bounced nicely off their 52-week lows. But increased ore supplies and possible falling demand may not bode well for miners like BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, and Cliffs Natural Resources. Are these iron ore producers about to encounter another downturn?

Teva Pharmaceutical shares have under performed its sector over the past year. Though the company faces a number of issues, most of the bad news may already be priced into the stock. Given the drug maker also appears to have some intriguing opportunities for future growth, are Teva shares too cheap to ignore?