Banco Santander SA (SAN): Today's Featured Financial 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.

Banco Santander (SAN) pushed the Financial sector higher today making it today's featured financial winner. The sector as a whole was unchanged today. By the end of trading, Banco Santander rose 9 cents (1.1%) to $7.93 on light volume. Throughout the day, 3.6 million shares of Banco Santander exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 5.9 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $7.84-$7.97 after having opened the day at $7.88 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $7.84. Other companies within the Financial sector that increased today were: Income Opportunity Realty Investors (IOT), up 18.4%, Porter Bancorp (PBIB), up 15.4%, VelocityShares 3x Inverse Crude ETN (DWTI), up 12.3%, and Manhattan Bridge Capital (LOAN), up 11.7%.

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Banco Santander-Chile provides commercial and retail banking services to corporate and individual customers in Chile. Banco Santander has a market cap of $76.61 billion and is part of the banking industry. Shares are down 89.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there is one analyst that rates Banco Santander a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and two rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Banco Santander as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself, premium valuation and deteriorating net income.

• You can view the full Banco Santander Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Credit Suisse (UOIL), down 12.5%, VelocityShares 3x Long Crude ETN (UWTI), down 11.8%, SP Bancorp (SPBC), down 11.2%, and Ampal-American Israel Corporation (AMPL), down 9.7%, were all laggards within the financial sector with E*Trade Financial (ETFC) being today's financial sector laggard.

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

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

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For more information on Banco Santander SA click any of the following:

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• Banco Santander SA Balance Sheet

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• Banco Santander SA Income Statement