Blackstone Group LP (BX): Today's Featured Financial Services Leader

Blackstone Group (BX) pushed the Financial Services industry higher today making it today's featured financial services leader. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.8%. By the end of trading, Blackstone Group rose 9 cents (0.7%) to $12.99 on average volume. Throughout the day, 4.6 million shares of Blackstone Group exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.9 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $12.91-$13.41 after having opened the day at $12.99 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $12.90. Other companies within the Financial Services industry that increased today were: KKR (KKR), up 3.7%, Mesabi (MSB), up 3.4%, Newtek Business Services (NEWT), up 2.8%, and MarketAxess Holdings (MKTX), up 2.7%.

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The Blackstone Group L.P., together with its subsidiaries, provides alternative asset management and financial advisory services worldwide. It operates in five segments: Private Equity, Real Estate, Hedge Fund Solutions, Credit Businesses, and Financial Advisory. Blackstone Group has a market cap of $6.56 billion and is part of the financial sector. Shares are down 7.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate Blackstone Group a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and one rates it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Blackstone Group as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally poor debt management, weak operating cash flow and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself.

• You can view the full Blackstone Group Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS), down 10.9%, Pzena Investment Management (PZN), down 9%, Cohen & Steers (CNS), down 8.9%, and GFI Group (GFIG), down 8.2%, were all laggards within the financial services industry with Morgan Stanley (MS) being today's financial services industry laggard.

• Use our financial services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the financial services industry could consider Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) while those bearish on the financial services industry could consider Proshares Short Financials (SEF).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Blackstone Group LP click any of the following:

• Blackstone Group LP Stock Price

• Blackstone Group LP Analyst Ratings

• Blackstone Group LP Key Stats & Profile

• Blackstone Group LP Earnings

• Blackstone Group LP Ratio Comparison

• Blackstone Group LP Growth Rates

• Blackstone Group LP Balance Sheet

• Blackstone Group LP Cash Flow

• Blackstone Group LP Income Statement