Wi-Lan Inc. Stock Upgraded (WILN)

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) -- Wi-Lan (Nasdaq:WILN) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share and deteriorating net income.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• WILN's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.02 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. Along with this, the company maintains a quick ratio of 9.02, which clearly demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.
• Net operating cash flow has improved to $12.32 million from having none in the same quarter last year. Since the company had no net operating cash flow for the prior period, we cannot calculate a percent change in order to compare its growth rate with that of its industry average.
• Compared to other companies in the Communications Equipment industry and the overall market, WI-LAN INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• WI-LAN INC has exprienced a steep decline in earnings per share in the most recent quarter in comparison to its performance from the same quarter a year ago.
• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Communications Equipment industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 101.4% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $10.30 million to -$0.15 million.

Wi-LAN Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, and licensing of technology intellectual properties that drive products in communication and consumer electronics markets. Wi-Lan has a market cap of $594.6 million and is part of the technology sector and electronics industry. Shares are down 13.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Wi-Lan 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 Wi-Lan Inc. click any of the following:

• Wi-Lan Inc. Stock Price

• Wi-Lan Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Wi-Lan Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Wi-Lan Inc. Earnings

• Wi-Lan Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Wi-Lan Inc. Growth Rates

• Wi-Lan Inc. Balance Sheet

• Wi-Lan Inc. Cash Flow

• Wi-Lan Inc. Income Statement