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

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

J.C. Penney (JCP) pushed the Services sector higher today making it today's featured services winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.3%. By the end of trading, J.C. Penney rose 65 cents (2.6%) to $25.30 on light volume. Throughout the day, 6.4 million shares of J.C. Penney exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 9.6 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $24.52-$25.36 after having opened the day at $24.59 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $24.65. Other companies within the Services sector that increased today were: China Auto Logistics (CALI), up 17.4%, Luna Innovations (LUNA), up 12.9%, Frozen Food Express Industries (FFEX), up 12.2%, and Net one Ueps Technologies (UEPS), up 11.8%.

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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 $5.41 billion and is part of the retail industry. Shares are down 29.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are four analysts that rate J.C. Penney a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and 10 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, poor profit margins, weak operating cash flow and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself.

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

On the negative front, QKL Stores (QKLS), down 14.5%, FreeSeas (FREE), down 14.1%, SinoHub (SIHI), down 13.9%, and American Learning (ALRN), down 10.5%, were all laggards within the services sector with United Continental Holdings (UAL) being today's services sector laggard.

• 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