Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Stock Upgraded (PTP)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Platinum Underwriters Holdings (NYSE:PTP) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, compelling growth in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Check out TheStreet's special offer for Real Money, headlined by Jim Cramer, now!

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• 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. Although other factors naturally played a role, the company's strong earnings growth was key. 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.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Insurance industry. The net income increased by 431.0% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$20.40 million to $67.53 million.
• PTP's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.15 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels.
• 40.00% is the gross profit margin for PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HLDG which we consider to be strong. It has increased significantly from the same period last year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 34.60% significantly outperformed against the industry average.

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides property and marine, casualty, and finite risk reinsurance coverage products worldwide. It operates in three segments: Property and Marine, Casualty, and Finite Risk. Platinum Underwriters has a market cap of $1.35 billion and is part of the financial sector and insurance industry. Shares are up 14.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Platinum Underwriters 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 Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. click any of the following:

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Stock Price

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Analyst Ratings

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Key Stats & Profile

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Earnings

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Ratio Comparison

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Growth Rates

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Balance Sheet

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Cash Flow

• Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd. Income Statement