Questar Corp Stock Upgraded (STR)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Questar (NYSE:STR) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Gas Utilities industry and the overall market, QUESTAR CORP's return on equity exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• The gross profit margin for QUESTAR CORP is rather high; currently it is at 51.50%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 17.40% significantly outperformed against the industry average.
• 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.
• QUESTAR CORP's earnings per share declined by 5.5% 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, QUESTAR CORP increased its bottom line by earning $1.15 versus $1.08 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($1.20 versus $1.15).
• The revenue fell significantly faster than the industry average of 31.1%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly dropped by 2.2%. The declining revenue appears to have seeped down to the company's bottom line, decreasing earnings per share.

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Questar Corporation operates as an integrated natural gas holding company. The company develops and produces natural gas and crude oil from its properties located in the Rocky Mountain region, primarily in the Pinedale, Moxa Arch, Vermillion, and Uinta producing areas. The company has a P/E ratio of 16.5, equal to the average energy industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Questar has a market cap of $3.46 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are down 1.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

You can view the full Questar Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.
-- Written by a member of TheStreet RatingsStaff

 

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