Maxygen Inc. Stock Downgraded (MAXY)

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) -- Maxygen (Nasdaq:MAXY) 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 attractive valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• MAXY's very impressive revenue growth greatly exceeded the industry average of 6.7%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues leaped by 999900.0%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• MAXY 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 this, the company maintains a quick ratio of 78.77, which clearly demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.
• MAXYGEN INC reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has not demonstrated a clear trend in earnings over the past two years, making it difficult to accurately predict earnings for the coming year. During the past fiscal year, MAXYGEN INC swung to a loss, reporting -$0.21 versus $2.32 in the prior year.
• 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 Biotechnology industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 50.3% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $54.52 million to $27.12 million.
• Return on equity has greatly decreased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of major weakness within the corporation. When compared to other companies in the Biotechnology industry and the overall market, MAXYGEN INC's return on equity is below that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

Maxygen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in developing various products in the field of human therapeutics in North America. The company has a P/E ratio of 7.5, below the average diversified services industry P/E ratio of 8.1 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Maxygen has a market cap of $173.7 million and is part of the services sector and diversified services industry. Shares are up 11% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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

• Maxygen Inc. Stock Price

• Maxygen Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Maxygen Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Maxygen Inc. Earnings

• Maxygen Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Maxygen Inc. Growth Rates

• Maxygen Inc. Balance Sheet

• Maxygen Inc. Cash Flow

• Maxygen Inc. Income Statement