Cimarex Energy(XEC) soared to the top of theS&P 500today afterreporting better-than-expected earnings and sales. ILLUSTRATION:GETTY IMAGES Cimarex Energy gained 7.5% to $100.86 today, while the S&P 500 finished little changed at 2,474.02. TheEnergy Select Sector SPDR ETF(XLE) ticked up 0.1% to $65.05. Williams Capital GroupanalystGabriele Sorbaraexplains why the market liked what it saw from Cimarex Energy: After the market close yesterday, XEC reported strong 2Q17 results, with a beat on production, EPS and DCFPS. More importantly, 2Q17 oil production was 57.9 Mbbls/d, 1.2% above our estimate of 57.2 Mbbls/d and 3.7% above Consensus of 55.8 Mbbls/d. XEC raised its 2017 production guidance by 1.8% to 1,120 – 1,140 Mmcfe/d and its oil production growth guidance to 24%-29% YoY (up from 22%-27% previously), while reaffirming its 2017 E&P capex at $1.1-$1.2 billion...We expect shares to outperform on the 2Q17 results, increased production guidance and operational update. We reaffirm our Buy and $136 PT. XEC remains on our Top Picks list, given its underappreciated oil growth potential, catalysts, and discount valuation. Cimarex Energy's market capitalization rose to $9.6 billion today from $8.9 billion yesterday. http://www.barrons.com/articles/the-hot-stock-cimarex-energy-jumps-7-5-1502311125