Basic Material Active Movers: Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO), Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras (NYSE:PBR), Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA), Vale (NYSE:VALE), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) which has generated ample controversy in recent years for seeking tax breaks and suing local governments to drop its tax bill, has applied for another public subsidy to expand its Houston refinery. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) stock performance was -3.04% in last session and finished the day at $50.10. Traded volume was 13.61million shares in the last session and the average volume of the stock remained 7.10million shares. The beta of the stock remained 1.67. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) insider ownership is 0.40%.

Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras SA (ADR) (NYSE:PBR), the biggest crude producer in ultra-deep waters, is offering more than $2 billion in drilling-service contracts, some under revised terms after suppliers complained about the original agreements, said two people with direct knowledge of the bidding process. Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras SA (ADR) (NYSE:PBR) closed to $14.63 Monday on volume of 13.26million shares. The intra-day range of the stock was $14.45 to $14.80. Petroleo Brasileiro Petrobras SA (ADR) (NYSE:PBR) has a market capitalization of $95.42billion.

Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) shares are sitting near 52-week highs after the company announced the acquisition of Firth Rixson for $2.85 billion. While Rixson is not a household name, the move itself could signal a strategic gift for shareholders that could catapult Alcoa shares much higher. Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA)’s stock on June 30, 2014 reported a decrease of -0.27% to the closing price of $14.89. Its fifty two weeks range is $7.63 -$15.18. The total market capitalization recorded $17.46billion. The overall volume in the last trading session was 12.96million shares. In its share capital, AA has 1.17billion outstanding shares.

Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) ‘s stock had its “overweight” rating reiterated by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday. On Monday, shares of Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) dropped -0.45% to close the day at $13.23. Company return on investment (ROI) is 11.80% and its monthly performance is recorded as 3.76%. Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) quarterly revenue growth is -1.64%.

Federal and state attorneys who sued ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) over its Arkansas pipeline spill have won court rulings to keep the lawsuit alive and to deny the company’s attempt to limit the information it must provide in the case. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) stock performance was -0.52% in last session and finished the day at $100.68. Traded volume was 9.54million shares in the last session and the average volume of the stock remained 9.92million shares. The beta of the stock remained 0.80. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) insider ownership is 0.10%.