Genomic Health Inc. Stock Downgraded (GHDX)

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) -- Genomic Health (Nasdaq:GHDX) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income, disappointing return on equity and feeble growth in the company's earnings per share.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• GHDX's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 13.2%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 13.3%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• GHDX 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 5.96, which clearly demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.
• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, GHDX's share price has jumped by 43.62%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Setting our sights on the months ahead, however, we feel that the stock's sharp appreciation over the last year has driven it to a price level which is now relatively expensive compared to the rest of its industry. The implication is that its reduced upside potential is not good enough to warrant further investment at this time.
• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and greatly underperformed compared to the Biotechnology industry average. The net income has decreased by 23.3% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, dropping from $2.35 million to $1.80 million.
• 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. In comparison to the other companies in the Biotechnology industry and the overall market, GENOMIC HEALTH INC's return on equity is significantly below that of the industry average and is below that of the S&P 500.

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Genomic Health, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, engages in the development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical laboratory services that analyze the underlying biology of cancer allowing physicians and patients to make individualized treatment decisions. The company has a P/E ratio of 116.9, equal to the average health services industry P/E ratio and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Genomic Health has a market cap of $960.6 million and is part of the health care sector and health services industry. Shares are up 24.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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