J.C. Penney Co Inc (JCP): Today's Featured Services Laggard

J.C. Penney (JCP) pushed the Services sector lower today making it today's featured Services laggard. The sector as a whole closed the day down 0.3%. By the end of trading, J.C. Penney fell 81 cents (-3.5%) to $22.19 on average volume. Throughout the day, 10.7 million shares of J.C. Penney exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 9.3 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $21.61-$22.91 after having opened the day at $22.90 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $23. Other company's within the Services sector that declined today were: American Learning (ALRN), down 12.9%, Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), down 10.8%, Armco Metals Holdings (CNAM), down 9.3%, and New Oriental Education & Technology Group I (EDU), down 8.8%.

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J. C. Penney Company, Inc., through its subsidiary, J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., operates department stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company sells family apparel and footwear, accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, beauty products, and home furnishings. J.C. Penney has a market cap of $4.85 billion and is part of the retail industry. Shares are down 34.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are five analysts that rate J.C. Penney a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and nine rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates J.C. Penney as a sell. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow, generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself and feeble growth in its earnings per share.

• You can view the full J.C. Penney Ratings Report.

On the positive front, China HGS Real Estate (HGSH), up 27.9%, Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), up 24.1%, VisionChina Media (VISN), up 20%, and Frisch's Restaurants (FRS), up 18%, were all gainers within the services sector with Target (TGT) being today's featured services sector leader.

• Use our services section to find sector-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 services sector could consider iShares Dow Jones US Cons Services (IYC) while those bearish on the services sector could consider ProShares Ultra Short Consumer Sers (SCC).

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

For more information on J.C. Penney Co Inc click any of the following:

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Stock Price

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Analyst Ratings

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Key Stats & Profile

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Earnings

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Ratio Comparison

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Growth Rates

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Balance Sheet

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Cash Flow

• J.C. Penney Co Inc Income Statement