Monday, September 29, 2008

Key Energy shares fall as crude, natural gas drop

Falling crude and natural gas prices weighed heavily on shares of Key Energy Services Inc. on Monday, though an analyst says there is reason to be positive on the rig-based well service company.

The stock fell $1.16, or 9.6 percent, to $10.95 in afternoon trading. The stock has ranged from $10.50 to $20.99 over the past year.

Meanwhile, on the New York Mercantile Exchange light, sweet crude for November delivery fell $9.89, or 9.3 percent, to $97, and natural gas for November delivery shed 45.2 cents, or 5.9 percent, to $7.176 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Index, which tracks oil service industry stocks, at one point fell to a nearly 52-week low of 247.68, down 5.6 percent for the session.

Yet Mark Brown, an analyst at Pritchard Capital Partners, noted Houston-based Key's stock may be helped by recent positive news and because of its low share price.

"Value stocks don't fall as much as growth stocks," he said in a phone interview.

Recent consolidation in the sector, as well as a Key unit's recent $68 million contract with Pemex for field production and other work are positives, Brown said.

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