Nuance Communications Inc. (NUAN): Today's Featured Computer Software & Services Laggard

Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer or Stephanie Link.

Nuance Communications ( NUAN) 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 0.3%. By the end of trading, Nuance Communications fell $0.22 (-1.1%) to $19.11 on average volume. Throughout the day, 5,362,783 shares of Nuance Communications exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 4,246,700 shares. The stock ranged in price between $19.06-$19.78 after having opened the day at $19.37 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $19.33. Other companies within the Computer Software & Services industry that declined today were: Merge Healthcare ( MRGE), down 46.0%, FalconStor Software ( FALC), down 9.0%, Commtouch Software ( CTCH), down 7.6% and ChyronHego ( CHYR), down 6.8%.

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Nuance Communications, Inc. provides voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Nuance Communications has a market cap of $6.1 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are down 14.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 7 analysts that rate Nuance Communications a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 9 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Nuance Communications as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income, weak operating cash flow and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself.

You can view the full Nuance Communications Ratings Report.

On the positive front, BOS Better Online Solutions ( BOSC), up 30.9%, Tableau Software Inc Class A ( DATA), up 11.3%, KongZhong Corporation ( KONG), up 8.3% and Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution ( KONE), up 7.5% , were all gainers within the computer software & services industry with Rackspace Hosting ( RAX) being today's featured computer software & services industry leader.

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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).