MasterCard Incorporated (MA): Today's Featured Diversified 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.

MasterCard Incorporated (MA) pushed the Diversified Services industry lower today making it today's featured Diversified Services laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.1%. By the end of trading, MasterCard Incorporated fell $4.79 (-1%) to $476.09 on average volume. Throughout the day, 635,054 shares of MasterCard Incorporated exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 715,200 shares. The stock ranged in price between $476.01-$482.84 after having opened the day at $481.65 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $480.88. Other companies within the Diversified Services industry that declined today were: DLH Holdings (DLHC), down 13.5%, Essex Rental (ESSX), down 9.9%, School Specialty (SCHS), down 8%, and Food Technology Service (VIFL), down 8%.

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MasterCard Incorporated, a payments and technology company, together with its subsidiaries, provides transaction processing and other payment-related services in the United States and internationally. MasterCard Incorporated has a market cap of $57.01 billion and is part of the services sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 27.7, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 28.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 22 analysts that rate MasterCard Incorporated a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates MasterCard Incorporated as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins, growth in earnings per share, increase in net income and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company is trading at a premium valuation based on our review of its current price compared to such things as earnings and book value.

• You can view the full MasterCard Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Innovaro (INV), up 21.1%, Geo Group (GEO), up 8.7%, Rainmaker Systems (RMKR), up 8.3%, and China Yida (CNYD), up 7.1%, were all gainers within the diversified services industry with SBA Communications (SBAC) being today's featured diversified services industry leader.

• 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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For more information on MasterCard Incorporated click any of the following:

• MasterCard Incorporated Stock Price

• MasterCard Incorporated Analyst Ratings

• MasterCard Incorporated Key Stats & Profile

• MasterCard Incorporated Earnings

• MasterCard Incorporated Ratio Comparison

• MasterCard Incorporated Growth Rates

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• MasterCard Incorporated Cash Flow

• MasterCard Incorporated Income Statement