Kemper Corp Stock Downgraded (KMPR)

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) -- Kemper (NYSE:KMPR) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. 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:

• Powered by its strong earnings growth of 150.00% and other important driving factors, this stock has surged by 29.60% over the past year, outperforming the rise in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. Regarding the stock's future course, our hold rating indicates that we do not recommend additional investment in this stock despite its gains in the past year.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Insurance industry average. The net income increased by 9.5% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $2.10 million to $2.30 million.
• KEMPER CORP/DE reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, KEMPER CORP/DE reported lower earnings of $1.16 versus $2.73 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($1.49 versus $1.16).
• The gross profit margin for KEMPER CORP/DE is currently extremely low, coming in at 3.20%. Regardless of KMPR's low profit margin, it has managed to increase from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of 0.40% trails the industry average.
• The company's current return on equity has slightly decreased from the same quarter one year prior. This implies a minor weakness in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Insurance industry and the overall market on the basis of return on equity, KEMPER CORP/DE underperformed against that of the industry average and is significantly less than that of the S&P 500.

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, provides various insurance products and services in the United States. The company offers life, health, automobile, homeowners, and other insurance products to individuals and small businesses. The company has a P/E ratio of 24.8, above the average insurance industry P/E ratio of 22.8 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Kemper has a market cap of $1.8 billion and is part of the financial sector and insurance industry. Shares are down 0.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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