Zumiez Inc. Stock Downgraded (ZUMZ)

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) -- Zumiez (Nasdaq:ZUMZ) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. 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 and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income and weak operating cash flow.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• ZUMZ's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 10.6%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 20.4%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• ZUMZ has no debt to speak of therefore resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of zero, which we consider to be a relatively favorable sign. Along with the favorable debt-to-equity ratio, the company maintains an adequate quick ratio of 1.21, which illustrates the ability to avoid short-term cash problems.
• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, ZUMZ's share price has jumped by 67.11%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Setting our sights on the months ahead, however, we feel that the stock's sharp appreciation over the last year has driven it to a price level which is now relatively expensive compared to the rest of its industry. The implication is that its reduced upside potential is not good enough to warrant further investment at this time.
• Net operating cash flow has declined marginally to $8.71 million or 4.03% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite a decrease in cash flow ZUMIEZ INC is still fairing well by exceeding its industry average cash flow growth rate of -26.01%.
• 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 Specialty Retail industry. The net income has decreased by 19.5% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, dropping from $2.59 million to $2.09 million.

Zumiez Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories. The company has a P/E ratio of 24.7, below the average retail industry P/E ratio of 24.9 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Zumiez has a market cap of $989 million and is part of the services sector and retail industry. Shares are up 13.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

For more information on Zumiez Inc. click any of the following:

• Zumiez Inc. Stock Price

• Zumiez Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Zumiez Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Zumiez Inc. Earnings

• Zumiez Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Zumiez Inc. Growth Rates

• Zumiez Inc. Balance Sheet

• Zumiez Inc. Cash Flow

• Zumiez Inc. Income Statement