The Energy sector (XLE) held steady on a trading day that saw S&P 500 drop 0.6%.

The ETF, as a proxy for the sector, tracked closer to the overall market today than over the past week. Going into trading today, the S&P 500 was up -3.3% over the last seven trading days, but XLE was down 5%.

Callon Petroleum Company (CPE) was a significant gainer in the sector, rising 12.7%. The stock closed at $5.49 with 756,287 shares moving. The stock traded in a range of $4.93 to $5.53. The stock is down over the last two months, having fallen $1.28 (-18.9%) from a price of $6.77 on March 12, 2012. Bill Barrett Corporation (BBG) also gained today, climbing $1.45 (+6.4%) to close at $24.24.

TETRA Technologies (TTI) was a major loser in the sector. Its price dropped 10.5% (-86 cents) to close at $7.34, as 1.8 million shares moved. The stock traded between $6.80 and $7.96. Over the last three months, the stock has lost $2.66 (-26.6%) from a price of $10 on February 10, 2012.

Cloud Peak Energy (CLD) rose 8.7% to close at $16.25, cross its 50-day moving average of $15.36 and 200-day moving average of $17.96. Alliance Holdings GP L.P (AHGP) declined 2.6% to close at $42.82, moving below its 50-day moving average of $43.88 and 200-day moving average of $48.12.

Petrobras Argentina SA ADR (PZE) rose 9.5% to close at $11.03, approaching its 50-day moving average of $11.90. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $13.53. Pioneer Natural Res (PXD) fell 1.6% to close at $102.19, moving down to 2.7% above its 200-day moving average of $99.44.