Corus, Dril-Quip: Ratings Changes

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BOSTON (TheStreet) -- TheStreet.com's stock-rating model upgraded media company Corus Entertainment(CJR Quote) to "hold."

The numbers: The company swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss of $145 million, or $1.81 a share, from a profit of $38 million, or 45 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Revenue declined 6% to $195 million. The company's gross margin rose from 47% to 53% and its operating margin increased from 27% to 29%. A quick ratio of 1 demonstrates adequate liquidity. A debt-to-equity ratio of 0.8 reflects reasonable leverage.

The stock: Corus is up 48% this year, more than major U.S. indices. The company does not have a trailing price-to-earnings ratio due to the size of its fiscal third-quarter loss. Shares pay a 3.4% dividend yield.

The model upgraded Dril-Quip(DRQ Quote), a maker of offshore-drilling equipment, to "buy."

The numbers: Second-quarter net income declined 4% to $27 million, but earnings per share remained flat at 68 cents due to a lower share count. Revenue dropped 7% to $133 million. The company's gross margin rose from 44% to 45% and its operating margin increased from 26% to 27%. Dril-Quip has an ideal financial position, with $116 million of cash, compared to $1.4 million of debt.

The stock: Dril-Quip has surged 163% this year, beating major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 21, indicating parity with the market, but a premium to oil and gas equipment peers. The company doesn't pay dividends.

The model upgraded health-care-equipment maker Gen-Probe(GPRO Quote) to "buy."