Oil Prices to Hit (PPC) (F) (GM) (MGM) (LCC) Says Moody's

Taking note of several sectors which could be hit hard by higher oil prices, Moody's (NYSE:MCO) pointed to Ford (NYSE:F), General Motors (NYSE:GM), US Airways Group (NYSE:LCC), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) and Pilgrim’s Pride (NYSE:PPC) as being vulnerable in their respective segments.

Concerning the auto sector, Moody's said American companies will struggle more than their Japanese and European counterparts on higher oil prices.

They noted, “The ratio of U.S. car and truck sales shifted from 46/54 in 2007 to 51/49 by 2009, but back to 48/52 in 2010 as gasoline pressures eased.”

For airlines, Moody's cited US Airways Group because as of the end of 2010 they hadn't hedged fuel.

In gaming, they said MGM Resorts International was vulnerable because of their Las Vegas exposure, which generates the bulk of its revenue.

With fuel being one of the key inputs for the meat industry, Pilgrim's Pride is considered very vulnerable there.

Ford was trading at $14.48, up $0.22, or 1.54 percent, as of 2:30 PM EDT. General Motors was at $31.74, gaining $0.30, or 0.95 percent. US Airways Group was trading up with most airlines today, standing at $8.98, rising $0.49, or 5.77 percent. MGM Resorts was at $12.67, up $0.03, or 0.24 percent. Pilgrim's Pride was at $7.26, gaining $0.26, or 3.71 percent.