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

MasterCard Incorporated ( MA) pushed the Diversified Services industry higher today making it today's featured diversified services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 1.4%. By the end of trading, MasterCard Incorporated rose $8.89 (1.7%) to $531.00 on light volume. Throughout the day, 350,852 shares of MasterCard Incorporated exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 637,200 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $523.59-$531.19 after having opened the day at $525.94 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $522.11. Other companies within the Diversified Services industry that increased today were: Capella Education Company ( CPLA), up 18.1%, VirtualScopics ( VSCP), up 15.2%, PowerSecure International ( POWR), up 12.1% and Luna Innovations ( LUNA), up 10.6%.

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MasterCard Incorporated, 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 $61.6 billion and is part of the services sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 23.8, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 6.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

TheStreet Ratings rates MasterCard Incorporated as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, expanding profit margins and good cash flow from operations. 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 MasterCard Incorporated Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Daegis ( DAEG), down 9.4%, Rent-A-Center ( RCII), down 5.8%, UniTek Global Services ( UNTK), down 5.5% and World Energy Solutions ( XWES), down 4.7% , were all laggards within the diversified services industry with Ryder System ( R) being today's diversified services industry laggard.

• 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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