Resolute Energy Corp Stock Upgraded (REN)

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) -- Resolute Energy (NYSE:REN) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself, unimpressive growth in net income and weak operating cash flow.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• REN's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 1.2%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 7.6%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displaying stagnant earnings per share.
• The gross profit margin for RESOLUTE ENERGY CORP is rather high; currently it is at 54.70%. Regardless of REN's high profit margin, it has managed to decrease from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, REN's net profit margin of 35.40% significantly outperformed against the industry.
• RESOLUTE ENERGY CORP reported flat earnings per share in the most recent quarter. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. We feel it is likely to report a decline in earnings in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, RESOLUTE ENERGY CORP increased its bottom line by earning $0.37 versus $0.12 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 75.7% in earnings ($0.09 versus $0.37).
• REN has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, declining 21.87% from its price level of one year ago. Looking ahead, other than the push or pull of the broad market, we do not see anything in the company's numbers that may help reverse the decline experienced over the past 12 months. Despite the past decline, the stock is still selling for more than most others in its industry.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to $11.55 million or 56.23% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.

Resolute Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States. The company has a P/E ratio of 13.6, above the average energy industry P/E ratio of 13.3 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Resolute Energy has a market cap of $591.1 million and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are down 15.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

You can view the full Resolute Energy 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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