H&R Block Inc (HRB): Today's Featured Diversified 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.

H&R Block (HRB) pushed the Diversified Services industry higher today making it today's featured diversified services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.1%. By the end of trading, H&R Block rose 63 cents (3.7%) to $17.74 on average volume. Throughout the day, 3.9 million shares of H&R Block exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.4 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $16.44-$17.78 after having opened the day at $16.91 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $17.11. Other companies within the Diversified Services industry that increased today were: Oxygen Biotherapeutics (OXBT), up 9.5%, Fortune Industries (FFI), up 8.3%, Pointer Telocation (PNTR), up 7.9%, and Opentable (OPEN), up 6.3%.

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H&R Block, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of tax preparation and related services to the general public in the United States, Canada, and Australia. H&R Block has a market cap of $4.69 billion and is part of the services sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.8, below the average diversified services industry P/E ratio of 15.9 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 4.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are two analysts that rate H&R Block a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and two rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates H&R Block as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company has favored debt over equity in the management of its balance sheet.

• You can view the full H&R Block Ratings Report.

On the negative front, American Learning (ALRN), down 13.2%, Innovaro (INV), down 10.3%, SmartPros (SPRO), down 8.4%, and USA Technologies (USAT), down 5.1%, were all laggards within the diversified services industry with Weight Watchers International (WTW) being today's diversified services industry laggard.

• Use our diversified 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 diversified services industry could consider iShares Dow Jones US Cons Services (IYC) while those bearish on the diversified services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Consumer Sers (SCC).

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

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• H&R Block Inc Balance Sheet

• H&R Block Inc Cash Flow

• H&R Block Inc Income Statement