Six Flags Entertainment Corp Stock Upgraded (SIX)

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) -- Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE:SIX) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins, good cash flow from operations, compelling growth in net income and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally high debt management risk by most measures that we evaluated.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• SIX's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 0.8%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 10.7%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. The net income increased by 106.7% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $34.96 million to $72.27 million.
• The gross profit margin for SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORP is rather high; currently it is at 57.80%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 19.30% is above that of the industry average.
• Net operating cash flow has increased to $175.97 million or 37.60% when compared to the same quarter last year. The firm also exceeded the industry average cash flow growth rate of -8.95%.
• Powered by its strong earnings growth of 104.83% and other important driving factors, this stock has surged by 61.68% over the past year, outperforming the rise in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. Looking ahead, the stock's sharp rise over the last year has already helped drive it to a level which is relatively expensive compared to the rest of its industry. We feel, however, that other strengths this company displays justify these higher price levels.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation owns and operates regional theme, water, and zoological parks. The company's parks offers various selection of state-of-the-art and traditional thrill rides, water attractions, themed areas, concerts and shows, restaurants, game venues, and retail outlets. The company has a P/E ratio of 66.3, below the average leisure industry P/E ratio of 70.6 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Six Flags Entertainment has a market cap of $2.92 billion and is part of the services sector and leisure industry. Shares are up 33.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Six Flags Entertainment 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 Six Flags Entertainment Corp click any of the following:

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