Oriental Financial Group Stock Upgraded (OFG)

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) -- Oriental Financial Group (NYSE:OFG) 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 increase in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself and disappointing return on equity.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Get full access to Jim Cramer's thoughts for less than $3/week - sometimes before he says them on TV! Start with a 14-Day Free Trial.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The revenue growth came in higher than the industry average of 18.6%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 10.7%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displaying stagnant earnings per share.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Commercial Banks industry average. The net income increased by 5.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $16.79 million to $17.76 million.
• ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC reported flat earnings per share in the most recent quarter. 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, ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC turned its bottom line around by earning $0.64 versus -$0.29 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.80 versus $0.64).
• In its most recent trading session, OFG 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. 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.
• 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 Commercial Banks industry and the overall market on the basis of return on equity, ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC underperformed against that of the industry average and is significantly less than that of the S&P 500.

.

Oriental Financial Group Inc., a financial holding company, provides various banking and financial services primarily in Puerto Rico. It operates in three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and Treasury. The company has a P/E ratio of 15.8, below the average banking industry P/E ratio of 16 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Oriental Financial Group has a market cap of $417.6 million and is part of the financial sector and banking industry. Shares are down 15.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Oriental Financial Group 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.

FREE from Real Money's Jim Cramer: Winners and Losers Election 2012 - Steps to take NOW so you can profit no matter who is in charge! Free download now.

For more information on OFG Bancorp click any of the following:

• OFG Bancorp Stock Price

• OFG Bancorp Analyst Ratings

• OFG Bancorp Key Stats & Profile

• OFG Bancorp Earnings

• OFG Bancorp Ratio Comparison

• OFG Bancorp Growth Rates

• OFG Bancorp Balance Sheet

• OFG Bancorp Cash Flow

• OFG Bancorp Income Statement