Based on the aggregated intelligence of 145,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

Chesapeake facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Oklahoma City (1989)

Market Cap

$17.1 billion

Industry

Independent oil and gas

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$8.5 billion

Management

Co-Founder/CEO Aubrey McClendon

CFO Marcus Rowland

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

(5.2%)

Cash/Debt

$520 million / $12.1 billion

Dividend Yield

1.1%

Competitors

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC)

BP (NYSE:BP)

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

CAPS Members Bullish on CHK Also Bullish on

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

CAPS Members Bearish on CHK Also Bearish on

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC)

Citigroup (NYSE:C)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 97.4% of the 6,948 members who have rated Chesapeake believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Star mattro88 and vil811.

Just two weeks ago, mattro88 chose Chesapeake as a cheap way to gas up:

The world needs energy, and eventually we'll make better use of all the natural gas we have, which is not as clean as wind or solar but still better than oil or coal. Compared with oil, gas is extremely cheap right now. Expect that ratio to correct.

In a pitch from two months ago, vil811 elaborates on that gassy feeling. Here's an excerpt:

Natural gas is cleaner than coal and emits less CO2 than oil. There is plenty of it in the Marcellus Shale from southern NY through central PA and into WV. ... When the worldwide recession ends, hopefully within two years, oil prices will rise again and so will natural gas. ... When natural gas prices climb back to levels seen in 2007 and 2008, [Chesapeake] will be well-positioned to cash in on demand. They have acquired property throughout the Marcellus Shale region. The big question for investors: when will the recession end?

What do you think about Chesapeake, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!