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

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) pushed the Financial sector lower today making it today's featured Financial laggard. The sector as a whole closed the day down 0.1%. By the end of trading, Fifth Third Bancorp fell 23 cents (-1.5%) to $15.47 on average volume. Throughout the day, 10.8 million shares of Fifth Third Bancorp exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 9.7 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $15.35-$15.69 after having opened the day at $15.69 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $15.70. Other companies within the Financial sector that declined today were: Credit Suisse (DGAZ), down 12.3%, Cascade Bancorp (CACB), down 11.7%, Waterstone Financial (WSBF), down 10.6%, and Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA), down 9.4%.

• 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.

Fifth Third Bancorp operates as a diversified financial services holding company in the United States. Fifth Third Bancorp has a market cap of $13.83 billion and is part of the banking industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 9.9, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 3.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. 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 expanding profit margins, good cash flow from operations, solid stock price performance, notable return on equity and attractive valuation levels. 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.

On the positive front, Altisource Residential Corporation (RESI), up 22.7%, Jacksonville Bancorp Inc (FL (JAXB), up 19%, Virginia Commerce Bancorp (VCBI), up 11.2%, and Porter Bancorp (PBIB), up 10.6%, were all gainers within the financial sector with CME Group (CME) being today's featured financial sector leader.

• Use our financial section to find sector-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 financial sector could consider Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) while those bearish on the financial sector could consider Proshares Short Financials (SEF).

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

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Let Jim Cramer show you every trade he is making in his $2.5 Million portfolio. Join now for 14-days FREE. Sign up today to get e-mail alerts before every trade.

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

• Fifth Third Bancorp Stock Price

• Fifth Third Bancorp Analyst Ratings

• Fifth Third Bancorp Key Stats & Profile

• Fifth Third Bancorp Earnings

• Fifth Third Bancorp Ratio Comparison

• Fifth Third Bancorp Growth Rates

• Fifth Third Bancorp Balance Sheet

• Fifth Third Bancorp Cash Flow

• Fifth Third Bancorp Income Statement