Paragon Shipping Soars Again (Update)

Updated from 6:02 p.m. EDT

Shares of Paragon Shipping(PRGN Quote) shot higher for a second straight day Wednesday following better-than-expected earnings and an upgrade from a dry bulk shipping analyst.

The company's shares tacked on another $1.05, or 20%, after surging some 21% on Tuesday. They were changing hands Wednesday afternoon at $5.76 on nearly ten times the daily average volume. Despite the recent surge, Paragon stock is still down year-to-date, along with the dry-bulk sector in general, and well below its 52-week high of $22.61.

The Greek company attributed its better-than-expected performance in the first quarter to a "balanced chartering strategy," in which it essentially rents out its boats for a set period, locking in rates and avoiding the pricing vagaries of the marketplace. Paragon said in its earnings release after the bell Tuesday that 98% of its revenue days for the rest of 2009 are booked with charters.

In the quarter, Paragon reported adjusted earnings, excluding items, of $14.7 million, or 54 cents a share, flat with last year but better than analysts' EPS estimates of 50 cents. Time charter revenue inched up 3% from a year ago to $41.6 million.

The company also said it will pay a dividend of 5 cents a share on June 29, to shareholders as of May 29.

Also Tuesday, a shipping analyst at the boutique investment bank Dahlman Rose upgraded Paragon to buy from hold, setting a price target on the stock of $7. Other dry bulk stocks upgraded by Dahlman -- there were six in total -- traded sharply higher Wednesday:Star Bulk Carriers(SBLK Quote) was up 15% and Safe Bulk Carriers(SB Quote) was up 11%.