PetMed Express Inc. Stock Downgraded (PETS)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- PetMed Express (Nasdaq:PETS) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and reasonable valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including poor profit margins, a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself and deteriorating net income.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• PETS's revenue growth trails the industry average of 21.8%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 9.8%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• PETS has no debt to speak of therefore resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of zero, which we consider to be a relatively favorable sign. Along with this, the company maintains a quick ratio of 6.25, which clearly demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.
• PETS has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, declining 11.17% from its price level of one year ago. The fact that the stock is now selling for less than others in its industry in relation to its current earnings is not reason enough to justify a buy rating at this time.
• The gross profit margin for PETMED EXPRESS INC is currently lower than what is desirable, coming in at 33.90%. It has decreased from the same quarter the previous year. Regardless of the weak results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of 7.10% is above that of the industry average.

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PetMed Express, Inc., doing business as 1-800-PetMeds, operates a pet pharmacy in the United States. It markets non-prescription and prescription pet medications; and other health products for dogs and cats, as well as direct to consumers. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.4, above the average drugs industry P/E ratio of 14 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. PetMed Express has a market cap of $228 million and is part of the health care sector and drugs industry. Shares are up 11.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

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

For more information on PetMed Express Inc. click any of the following:

• PetMed Express Inc. Stock Price

• PetMed Express Inc. Analyst Ratings

• PetMed Express Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• PetMed Express Inc. Earnings

• PetMed Express Inc. Ratio Comparison

• PetMed Express Inc. Growth Rates

• PetMed Express Inc. Balance Sheet

• PetMed Express Inc. Cash Flow

• PetMed Express Inc. Income Statement