Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Stock Upgraded (HMY)

Editor's Note: 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

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and attractive valuation levels. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 1.3%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 19.9%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• HMY's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.05 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. Along with the favorable debt-to-equity ratio, the company maintains an adequate quick ratio of 1.19, which illustrates the ability to avoid short-term cash problems.
• HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD reported significant earnings per share improvement 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 year. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, HARMONY GOLD MINING CO LTD turned its bottom line around by earning $0.24 versus -$0.05 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.80 versus $0.24).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Metals & Mining industry. The net income increased by 316.4% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $34.26 million to $142.67 million.

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, processing, and smelting of gold in South Africa and Papua New Guinea. The company has a P/E ratio of 53.9, above the average metals & mining industry P/E ratio of 13.4 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Harmony has a market cap of $4.26 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and metals & mining industry. Shares are down 12% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

Editor's Note: 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 Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. click any of the following:

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Stock Price

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• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Key Stats & Profile

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Earnings

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Ratio Comparison

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Growth Rates

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Balance Sheet

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Cash Flow

• Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Income Statement