Ferrellgas Partners LP Stock Downgraded (FGP)

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) -- Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE:FGP) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to sell. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its poor profit margins and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The gross profit margin for FERRELLGAS PARTNERS -LP is currently extremely low, coming in at 8.60%. Regardless of FGP's low profit margin, it has managed to increase from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, FGP's net profit margin of -10.40% significantly underperformed when compared to the industry average.
• In its most recent trading session, FGP 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.
• FGP, with its decline in revenue, underperformed when compared the industry average of 8.8%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues fell by 24.0%. The declining revenue has not hurt the company's bottom line, with increasing earnings per share.
• FERRELLGAS PARTNERS -LP has improved earnings per share by 15.1% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past year. We feel that this trend should continue. This trend suggests that the performance of the business is improving. During the past fiscal year, FERRELLGAS PARTNERS -LP continued to lose money by earning -$0.14 versus -$0.58 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.45 versus -$0.14).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500 and greatly outperformed compared to the Gas Utilities industry average. The net income increased by 13.1% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from -$40.91 million to -$35.53 million.

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Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. engages in the distribution and sale of propane, and related equipment and supplies primarily in the United States. Ferrellgas has a market cap of $1.5 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are up 0.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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• Ferrellgas Partners LP Income Statement