Banco Santander SA (SAN): Today's Featured Banking Laggard

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 Banking industry lower today making it today's featured Banking laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.5%. By the end of trading, Banco Santander fell 15 cents (-1.9%) to $7.82 on light volume. Throughout the day, 3.1 million shares of Banco Santander exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of five million shares. The stock ranged in price between $7.78-$7.91 after having opened the day at $7.83 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $7.97. Other companies within the Banking industry that declined today were: First Financial Service Corporation (FFKY), down 8%, Bridge Bancorp (BDGE), down 7.3%, BB&T (BBT), down 7.1%, and Ames National (ATLO), down 6.9%.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Get full access to Jim Cramer's thoughts for less than $3/week - sometimes before he says them on TV! Start with a 14-Day Free Trial.

Banco Santander-Chile provides commercial and retail banking services to corporate and individual customers in Chile. Banco Santander has a market cap of $72.08 billion and is part of the financial sector. Shares are up 6% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. 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 positive front, Jacksonville Bancorp Inc (FL (JAXB), up 22.2%, Citizens First Corporation (CZFC), up 7.5%, Oak Ridge Financial Services (BKOR), up 7.3%, and Fidelity Southern (LION), up 6.8%, were all gainers within the banking industry with KeyCorp (KEY) being today's featured banking industry leader.

• Use our banking 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 banking industry could consider KBW Bank ETF (KBE) while those bearish on the banking industry could consider ProShares Short KBW Regional Bankng (KRS).

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

FREE from Real Money's Jim Cramer: Winners and Losers Election 2012 - Steps to take NOW so you can profit no matter who is in charge! Free download now.

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

• Banco Santander SA Stock Price

• Banco Santander SA Analyst Ratings

• Banco Santander SA Key Stats & Profile

• Banco Santander SA Earnings

• Banco Santander SA Ratio Comparison

• Banco Santander SA Growth Rates

• Banco Santander SA Balance Sheet

• Banco Santander SA Cash Flow

• Banco Santander SA Income Statement