G & K Services Inc. Stock Upgraded (GKSR)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- G & K Services (Nasdaq:GKSR) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, attractive valuation levels, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• GKSR's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 1.5%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 4.7%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• Although GKSR's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27 is very low, it is currently higher than that of the industry average. Despite the fact that GKSR's debt-to-equity ratio is low, the quick ratio, which is currently 0.67, displays a potential problem in covering short-term cash needs.
• Looking at where the stock is today compared to one year ago, we find that it is not only higher, but it has also clearly outperformed the rise in the S&P 500 over the same period, despite the company's weak earnings results. Turning our attention to the future direction of the stock, it goes without saying that even the best stocks can fall in an overall down market. However, in any other environment, this stock still has good upside potential despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year.
• G&K SERVICES INC's earnings per share declined by 8.2% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, G&K SERVICES INC increased its bottom line by earning $1.80 versus $1.56 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($1.94 versus $1.80).

G&K Services, Inc. provides branded uniform and facility services programs in the United States and Canada. The company has a P/E ratio of 19.7, equal to the average diversified services industry P/E ratio and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. G & K Services has a market cap of $647.5 million and is part of the services sector and diversified services industry. Shares are up 18.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

You can view the full G & K Services Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

 

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• G & K Services Inc. Growth Rates

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• G & K Services Inc. Income Statement