Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB): Today's Featured Financial 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.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) pushed the Financial sector higher today making it today's featured financial winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.8%. By the end of trading, Fifth Third Bancorp rose 36 cents (2.4%) to $15.02 on average volume. Throughout the day, 11.2 million shares of Fifth Third Bancorp exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 9.7 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $14.67-$15.04 after having opened the day at $14.74 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $14.66. Other companies within the Financial sector that increased today were: Security National Financial Corporation (SNFCA), up 13.7%, Hallmark Financial Services (HALL), up 10.9%, Amrep Corporation (AXR), up 9.3%, and New Century Bancorp (NCBC), up 9.3%.

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Fifth Third Bancorp operates as a diversified financial services holding company in the United States. Fifth Third Bancorp has a market cap of $12.89 billion and is part of the banking industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 9.3, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 12.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate Fifth Third Bancorp a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and 12 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Fifth Third Bancorp as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins, notable return on equity and solid stock price performance. 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 Fifth Third Ratings Report.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the financial sector could consider Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) while those bearish on the financial sector could consider Proshares Short Financials (SEF).

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For more information on Fifth Third Bancorp click any of the following:

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• Fifth Third Bancorp Balance Sheet

• Fifth Third Bancorp Cash Flow

• Fifth Third Bancorp Income Statement