VeriSign Inc. (VRSN): Today's Featured Computer Software & Services 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.

VeriSign (VRSN) pushed the Computer Software & Services industry lower today making it today's featured Computer Software & Services laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.3%. By the end of trading, VeriSign fell $1.18 (-2.9%) to $39.69 on average volume. Throughout the day, 3.7 million shares of VeriSign exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of three million shares. The stock ranged in price between $39.43-$40.31 after having opened the day at $40.16 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $40.87. Other companies within the Computer Software & Services industry that declined today were: China Information Technology (CNIT), down 13.1%, Mitek Systems (MITK), down 7%, Wave Systems Corporation (WAVX), down 5.5%, and Authentidate Holding Corporation (ADAT), down 5.2%.

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VeriSign, Inc. provides Internet infrastructure services to various networks worldwide. It offers registry services that operate the authoritative directory of .com, .net, .cc, .tv, and .name domain names, as well as the back-end systems for various for all .gov, .jobs, and .edu domain names. VeriSign has a market cap of $6.35 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 26.2, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 14.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are four analysts that rate VeriSign a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and seven rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates VeriSign as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, revenue growth and expanding profit margins. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results.

• You can view the full VeriSign Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Chyron Corporation (CHYR), up 17.5%, Astea International (ATEA), up 12.6%, Camelot Information Systems (CIS), up 11.4%, and TigerLogic Corporation (TIGR), up 10.1%, were all gainers within the computer software & services industry with 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) being today's featured computer software & services industry leader.

• Use our computer software & services section to find industry-relevant news.
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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the computer software & services industry could consider iShares S&P NA Tech Software Idx (IGV) while those bearish on the computer software & services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Technology (REW).

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For more information on VeriSign Inc. click any of the following:

• VeriSign Inc. Stock Price

• VeriSign Inc. Analyst Ratings

• VeriSign Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• VeriSign Inc. Earnings

• VeriSign Inc. Ratio Comparison

• VeriSign Inc. Growth Rates

• VeriSign Inc. Balance Sheet

• VeriSign Inc. Cash Flow

• VeriSign Inc. Income Statement