PostRock Energy (NASDAQ:PSTR) and Ivanhoe Energy (TSX:IE) Lead the Top Sector Gainers

PostRock Energy Corp (NASDAQ: PSTR) and Ivanhoe Energy Inc (TSX: IE), lead the top small cap stock gainers for various sectors on both sides of the border, including one that saw its share price surge 74%.

PostRock Energy Corp (NASDAQ: PSTR), engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, production and transportation of oil and natural gas, was the top performer in the U.S. energy sector after skyrocketing 44.4% and closed at $5.85 Monday, while recording significant trading volumes of 368,007 shares. In the wake of falling oil prices, PSTR made a recent announcement that it is reducing staff at its headquarters by about 25 percent from 2014 levels and will cut expenses to reduce operating costs by nearly $4 million a year. During the past 5-trading sessions, PSTR gained 165.9% with daily average trading volumes of 541,239 shares, while the stock accumulated 134.9% gain during the past one month with daily average trading volumes of 104,828 shares. The stock is up 62.5% year-to-date.

1-Year Price Chart

Top Canadian Gainer

Ivanhoe Energy Inc (TSX: IE), engaged in the development and production of heavy oil, was the top sector gainer after skyrocketing 74.0% and closed at C$0.87 Monday, while recording significant trading volumes of 215,982 shares. IE also broke its key technical resistance levels of 30-Day and 50-Day DMAs at C$0.57 and C$0.69 respectively. The share price hike is attributable to the continuing upward trend in oil prices. During the past 5-trading sessions, IE gained 85.1% with daily average trading volumes of 56,674 shares, while the stock accumulated 35.9% gain during the past one month with daily average trading volumes of 23,802 shares. The stock is up 45.0% year-to-date.

1-Year Price Chart