FMC Technologies Inc. Stock Downgraded (FTI)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth and increase in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 14.3%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 29.1%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• FMC TECHNOLOGIES INC has improved earnings per share by 17.1% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. We feel that this trend should continue. This trend suggests that the performance of the business is improving. During the past fiscal year, FMC TECHNOLOGIES INC increased its bottom line by earning $1.65 versus $1.53 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.15 versus $1.65).
• Despite currently having a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, it is higher than that of the industry average, inferring that management of debt levels may need to be evaluated further. Regardless of the somewhat mixed results with the debt-to-equity ratio, the company's quick ratio of 1.02 is sturdy.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to $1.70 million or 96.61% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.
• FTI has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, declining 10.52% from its price level of one year ago. Looking ahead, we do not see anything in this company's numbers that would change the one-year trend. It was down over the last twelve months; and it could be down again in the next twelve. Naturally, a bull or bear market could sway the movement of this stock.

FMC Technologies, Inc. provides technology solutions for the energy industry worldwide. It operates in three segments: Subsea Technologies, Surface Technologies, and Energy Infrastructure. The company has a P/E ratio of 23.7, above the average energy industry P/E ratio of 23.5 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. FMC has a market cap of $9.62 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are down 23% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

You can view the full FMC Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

For more information on FMC Technologies Inc. click any of the following:

• FMC Technologies Inc. Stock Price

• FMC Technologies Inc. Analyst Ratings

• FMC Technologies Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• FMC Technologies Inc. Earnings

• FMC Technologies Inc. Ratio Comparison

• FMC Technologies Inc. Growth Rates

• FMC Technologies Inc. Balance Sheet

• FMC Technologies Inc. Cash Flow

• FMC Technologies Inc. Income Statement