EQT(EQT) tumbled to the bottom of the S&P 500 today afteragreeing to pay $6.7 billionforRice Energy(RICE). ILLUSTRATION:AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES EQT dropped 9% to $53.51, while the S&P 500. Rice Energy jumped 25% to $24.57. Despite the market reaction,Wells FargoanalystGordon Douthatand team like EQT's Rice acquisition: We view the transaction positively given significant overlap of high quality core acreage that should drive what EQT management estimates to be $2.5 billion in development and economic synergies (longer laterals, leaner operating costs, lower cost of capital) as a combined entity, while also providing additional growth potential for midstream entitiesEQT Midstream Partners(EQM)/EQT GP Holdings(EQGP). With the business model shifting from outspending for high growth to more moderate growth with free cash, this has bullish implications for the commodity and we believe investors stand to benefit as shale enters a more mature phase. EQT is better positioned post this transaction in our view. EQT's market capitalization fell to $9.5 billion today from $10.2 billion on Friday. It reported a net loss of $453 million on sales of $1.8 billion in 2016. http://www.barrons.com/articles/the-biggest-loser-eqt-tumbles-9-1497904155