3 stocks endured heavy trading volumes despite listless price action

Take a look at the following energy stocks: Ecopetrol S.A., HollyFrontier Corp, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp and others showed higher volumes than usual.

A quick recap of where the last trading session ended: Markets completed a mixed session today, as Dow Jones slipped 0.68% and closed at 33,300. S&P 500 shed 0.38% and closed at 4,056.

Why Trading Volume Matters

Trading volume is simply the total number of shares traded including both buy and sell orders. If a stock has appreciated on high volume, it is more likely to be a sustained move compared to an appreciation with low volume. Typically, high volume trading sessions are considered significant occurrences and closely watched by traders.

While trading was mostly sideways today, several energy stocks were actively traded. Here's an update:

Ecopetrol | 237% above rolling average

Today's trading volume peaked at 5.23 million shares, thereby blitzing the daily average of 2.21 million by 237%.

The largest petroleum company in Colombia is now trading 17.89% below its 3-month high of $17.47.

Ecopetrol | 237% above rolling average

Today's trading volume peaked at 5.23 million shares, thereby blitzing the daily average of 2.21 million by 237%.

The largest petroleum company in Colombia is now trading 17.89% below its 3-month high of $17.47.

Ecopetrol | 237% above rolling average

Today's trading volume peaked at 5.23 million shares, thereby blitzing the daily average of 2.21 million by 237%.

The largest petroleum company in Colombia is now trading 17.89% below its 3-month high of $17.47.

— Average trading volume refers to a 21-day rolling average.