Late afternoon Wednesday, investors ran for the exits with energy shares leading the charge lower.
Once again, BP dragged down the sector on growing worries about the costs the energy giant will have to assume because of the Gulf spill.
BP officials have said they have enough cash to handle the crisis, but the cost of protecting BP's debt against default hit record highs, suggesting increased worry about the British oil giant's ability to handle its obligations.
With Wednesday's decline, BP has given up more than half its market value since the explosion that triggered the spill in late April.
On April 20, the day of the offshore oil rig explosion, BP's New York-traded shares closed at $60.48. On Wednesday, the shares ended at $29.20.
Earlier this week, hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson told us he was getting long BP. (Clickhere to read that post.) But considering all the recent developments, it seemed prudent to check back.
Much to our surprise, Tilson isn't merely holding he's adding.
With the stock down 15% we thought the stock was attractive, he tells the desk.
BP is one of the most profitable companies on earth. That’s not to say we don’t realize they have a terrible safety record. Or that they botched the clean up.
Yes, they’re going to pay a lot of money. But they’re such a profitable business they’re going to be able to pay it.
The idea that the business will somehow file for bankruptcy is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of. The thing everyone is missing is the unbelievably profitable business.
For what it's worth, Joe Terranova and Brian Kelly wouldn't touch the stock.
What bothers me is that it's not just BP selling off; the entire energy space is getting obliterated, says Terranova.
What do you think? We want to know!
______________________________________________________
Got something to to say? Send us an e-mail at fastmoney-web@cnbc.com and your comment might be posted on the Rapid Recap. If you'd prefer to make a comment but not have it published on our website send those e-mails to .
Trader disclosure: On June 9, 2010, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Pete Najarian owns (AMD) calls; Pete Najarian owns (MCD) calls; Pete Najarian owns (C) calls; Terranova owns (IPSU), (BX), (UDN), (PFE), (RSX), (TER), (AXP), (BMO), (BBY), (DIS), (XCO), (SWN), (GLD), (AAPL), (IPI), (SU), (V), (TEVA), (FXB), (CVS); Adami owns (AGU), (BTU), (C), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Grasso owns (ABK), (BAC), (BGP), (C), (DYN), (JPM), (LPX), (NDAQ); Kelly owns (GS) puts; Kelly owns (SPY) puts
For Joe Terranova
Terranova works for (VRTS)
Terranova is chief market strategist of Virtus Investment Partners, LTD.
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (AMKR)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (IGE)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (XLB)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (XLV)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (XLY)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (XLI)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (XLU)
Virtus Investment Partners owns more than 1% of (DRYS)
For Steve Grasso
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (BAX)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (CUBA)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (DHR)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (GERN)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (HON)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (HSPO)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (MERC)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (NWS.A)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (NYX)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (PDE)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (PFE)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (PRST)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (RDC)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (SYMC)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (TLM)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (TRV)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (XRX)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (SDS)
Stuart Frankel & Co and it’s partners own (TBT)
Brian Kelly
Kanundrum Capital is short (AMZN)
Kanundrum Capital is short (RCL)
Kanundrum Capital is short (XLY)
Kanundrum Capital is short (AFL)
Kanundrum Capital is short (EWI)
Kanundrum Capital is short (EWO)
Kanundrum Capital is short (GS)
Kanundrum Capital is short (HIG)
Kanundrum Capital is short (XLF)
Kanundrum Capital is short (FCX)
Kanundrum Capital is short (XLB)
Kanundrum Capital is short the Euro
Kanundrum Capital is short the U.K. Pound
Kanundrum Capital is short the Swiss Franc
Kanundrum Capital owns (GLD)
Kanundrum Capital owns (GDX)
Kanundrum Capital owns (GDXJ)
Kanundrum Capital owns (AUY)
Kanundrum Capital owns (GFI)
Kanundrum Capital owns (TLT
Kanundrum Capital U.S. Dollar
For Dennis Gartman
Funds managed by Gartman are short yen
Funds managed by Gartman are short sterling
Funds managed by Gartman are euro
Funds managed by Gartman own gold
Funds managed by Gartman owns NFLX
Funds managed by Gartman are short RIMM
Funds managed by Gartman own (SDS)
For Scott Hanold
RBC Capital Markets is currently providing Anadarko Petroleum with non-securities services
RBC Capital Markets has provided Anadarko Petroleum Corporation with non-investment banking securities-related services in the past 12 months
Whitney Tilson
Funds managed by Tilson own (BP)
For Mike Khouw
Cantor Fitzgerald makes a market in (ADM)
CNBC.com with wires