Symantec Corp (SYMC): 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.

Symantec (SYMC) 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 down 0.2%. By the end of trading, Symantec fell 34 cents (-1.8%) to $18.75 on light volume. Throughout the day, 5.1 million shares of Symantec exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7.8 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $18.71-$19.24 after having opened the day at $19.15 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $19.09. Other companies within the Computer Software & Services industry that declined today were: Authentidate Holding Corporation (ADAT), down 13.1%, Pactera Technology International (PACT), down 12.7%, Procera Networks (PKT), down 6.5%, and Majesco Entertainment Company (COOL), down 6.1%.

• EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Jim Cramer's Protégé, Dave Peltier, only buys Stocks Under $10 that he thinks could potentially double. See what he's trading today with a 14-day FREE pass.

Symantec Corporation provides security, storage, and systems management solutions to various organization and consumers worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer, Security and Compliance, Storage and Server Management, and Services. Symantec has a market cap of $12.99 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 11.8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 19.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 13 analysts that rate Symantec a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 13 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Symantec as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, growth in earnings per share, increase in net income and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Symantec Ratings Report.

On the positive front, THQ (THQI), up 9.4%, Helios & Matheson Information Technology In (HMNY), up 9.2%, icad (ICAD), up 8.3%, and DynaVox (DVOX), up 8%, were all gainers within the computer software & services industry with Informatica Corporation (INFA) being today's featured computer software & services industry leader.

• Use our computer software & 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 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).

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

Holiday Special: Subscribe to Action Alerts PLUS to see how Jim Cramer trades his $2.5 Million+ portfolio for 51% off the list price. Your first 14-days are FREE: Sign up today to get e-mail alerts before every trade.

For more information on Symantec Corp click any of the following:

• Symantec Corp Stock Price

• Symantec Corp Analyst Ratings

• Symantec Corp Key Stats & Profile

• Symantec Corp Earnings

• Symantec Corp Ratio Comparison

• Symantec Corp Growth Rates

• Symantec Corp Balance Sheet

• Symantec Corp Cash Flow

• Symantec Corp Income Statement