Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE): Today's Featured Technology 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.

Adobe Systems (ADBE) pushed the Technology sector higher today making it today's featured technology winner. The sector as a whole was unchanged today. By the end of trading, Adobe Systems rose 61 cents (1.8%) to $34.01 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 6.3 million shares of Adobe Systems exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 4.1 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $32.99-$34.09 after having opened the day at $33.13 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $33.40. Other companies within the Technology sector that increased today were: Motricity (MOTR), up 29.2%, Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC), up 26.2%, Recon Technology (RCON), up 21%, and TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS), up 17.3%.

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Adobe Systems Incorporated operates as a diversified software company worldwide. It offers a line of software and services used by creative professionals, marketers, knowledge workers, application developers, enterprises, and consumers. Adobe Systems has a market cap of $16.52 billion and is part of the computer software & services industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 21.2, equal to the average computer software & services industry P/E ratio and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 18% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 10 analysts that rate Adobe Systems a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and 11 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Adobe Systems as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, reasonable valuation levels, solid stock price performance and increase in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity.

• You can view the full Adobe Systems Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Aetrium Incorporated (ATRM), down 17.3%, Maxwell Technologies (MXWL), down 16.9%, Rediff.com India (REDF), down 15.9%, and VeriSign (VRSN), down 15.5%, were all laggards within the technology sector with Activision Blizzard (ATVI) being today's technology sector laggard.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the technology sector could consider Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) while those bearish on the technology sector could consider ProShares Ultra Short Technology (REW).

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

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For more information on Adobe Systems Inc click any of the following:

• Adobe Systems Inc Stock Price

• Adobe Systems Inc Analyst Ratings

• Adobe Systems Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Adobe Systems Inc Earnings

• Adobe Systems Inc Ratio Comparison

• Adobe Systems Inc Growth Rates

• Adobe Systems Inc Balance Sheet

• Adobe Systems Inc Cash Flow

• Adobe Systems Inc Income Statement