Global Indemnity PLC Stock Downgraded (GBLI)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Global Indemnity (Nasdaq:GBLI) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and increase in stock price during the past year. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including disappointing return on equity and poor profit margins.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• 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 124.2% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $4.28 million to $9.60 million.
• GBLI's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.13 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels.
• Compared to where it was 12 months ago, the stock is up, but it has so far lagged the appreciation in the S&P 500. Despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year, there is currently no conclusive evidence that warrants the purchase or sale of this stock.
• The gross profit margin for GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC is currently extremely low, coming in at 12.10%. Regardless of GBLI's low profit margin, it has managed to increase from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, GBLI's net profit margin of 13.60% compares favorably to the industry average.
• Return on equity has greatly decreased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of major weakness within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Insurance industry and the overall market, GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

Global Indemnity plc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty property and casualty insurer. The company provides property and casualty insurance products in the excess and surplus lines marketplace to customers in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Global Indemnity has a market cap of $321.9 million and is part of the financial sector and insurance industry. Shares are down 2.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

You can view the full Global Indemnity 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.

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