Quiksilver Inc Stock Upgraded (ZQK)

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) -- Quiksilver (NYSE:ZQK) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, revenue growth and attractive valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself and generally higher debt management risk.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry average. The net income increased by 20.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $10.44 million to $12.61 million.
• ZQK's revenue growth trails the industry average of 19.4%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 1.8%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• QUIKSILVER INC has improved earnings per share by 16.7% 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, QUIKSILVER INC reported poor results of -$0.17 versus -$0.08 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.04 versus -$0.17).
• In its most recent trading session, ZQK has closed at a price level that was not very different from its closing price of one year earlier. This is probably due to its weak earnings growth as well as other mixed factors. The fact that the stock is now selling for less than others in its industry in relation to its current earnings is not reason enough to justify a buy rating at this time.
• The debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42 is relatively high when compared with the industry average, suggesting a need for better debt level management. Even though the debt-to-equity ratio is weak, ZQK's quick ratio is somewhat strong at 1.25, demonstrating the ability to handle short-term liquidity needs.

Quiksilver, Inc. designs, develops, produces, and distributes apparel, footwear, accessories, and related products. The company has a P/E ratio of 10.8, below the average consumer non-durables industry P/E ratio of 11.5 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Quiksilver has a market cap of $592.5 million and is part of the consumer goods sector and consumer non-durables industry. Shares are down 0.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

You can view the full Quiksilver 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

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