During trading today, both the Basic Materials sector (XLB) and the S&P500 showed little movement.

The ETF, as a proxy for the sector, tracked closer to the overall market today than over the past week. Going into trading today, XLB was up 3% over the last seven trading days while the S&P 500 went up 1.2%.

Increasing 16% (+$1.88) to close at $13.64, Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) was a major gainer in the sector. Today, 20.8 million shares traded hands. The stock traded in a range of $12.40 to $13.66. Over the last three months, the stock has lost $5.46 (-28.6%) from a price of $19.10 on January 20, 2012.

Ternium (TX) was a major loser in the sector. Its price dropped 9.8% (-$2.32) to close at $21.44, as 2.5 million shares moved. The stock traded in a range of $21.26 to $23.69. The share price has dropped $3.26 (-13.2%) from $24.70 on March 19, 2012.

ADA-ES (ADES) rose 4.9% to close at $23.82, cross its 50-day moving average of $23.68 and 200-day moving average of $20.70. Polypore International (PPO) declined 1.8% to close at $36.89, moving below its 50-day moving average of $37.23 and 200-day moving average of $46.27.

Entree Gold (EGI) rose 20.2% to close at $1.13, approaching its 50-day moving average of $1.23. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $1.39. Syngenta (NL) fell 2.6% to close at $68.65, moving closer to its 50-day moving average of $66.99. Also, the stock moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $14.09.

Penford Corporation (PENX) hit a new 52-week high today, reaching $7.72 to top the previous high of $7.71.