Based on the aggregated intelligence of 120,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) has earned a respected four-star ranking. While five-star stocks have been the best performers, our data has shown that four-star stocks still outshine the market by a significant margin and shouldn't be taken lightly; conversely, low-rated stocks have woefully lagged the market average.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Anadarko's business, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Anadarko facts

Headquarters (founded)

The Woodlands, Texas (1959)

Market Cap

$16.54 billion

Industry

Oil and gas exploration and production

TTM Revenue

$10.95 billion

Management

CEO James Hackett (since 2003)
CFO R. A. Walker (since 2005)

Return on Equity (average last three years)

19.4%

Competitors

EnCana (NYSE:ECA)
Chevron (NYSE:CVX)

CAPS members bullish on APC also bullish on

Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK)
Vale (NYSE:RIO)

CAPS members bearish on APC also bearish on

Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN)
American Oil & Gas (AMEX:AEZ)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's), and Motley Fool CAPS. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over on CAPS, fully 1,228 of the 1,259 members who have rated Anadarko -- some 98% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include number1guru and ww2004.

Last month, number1guru noted that Anadarko "has been beaten down to levels from early 2007. ... I think the downside reaction is overdone and expect a move back up ... with any help from oil back to previous highs."

In a pitch from one week later, ww2004 agrees, tapping the stock as a tantalizing turnaround play:

There has been too much focus on demand destruction in the U.S. World demand growth has only slowed, not gone into decline. Anadarko, like other energy stocks, has seen a dramatic decline as oil and natural gas prices have dropped. Some see lower oil prices as good for the economy. Unfortunately there is a long term negative to low oil prices. Production increases will not be economical even if geologically possible (which is becoming doubtful.) As this becomes evident over the next several months, stocks like [Anadarko] will do well.

What do you think about Anadarko, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 120,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.