Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Stock Upgraded (SCMP)

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) -- Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A (Nasdaq:SCMP) 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, solid stock price performance and compelling growth in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company has favored debt over equity in the management of its balance sheet.

• 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 2.7%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 19.2%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• Powered by its strong earnings growth of 90.90% and other important driving factors, this stock has surged by 25.05% over the past year, outperforming the rise in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. Regarding the stock's future course, our hold rating indicates that we do not recommend additional investment in this stock despite its gains in the past year.
• SUCAMPO PHARMACEUTICALS INC reported significant earnings per share improvement 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, SUCAMPO PHARMACEUTICALS INC reported poor results of -$0.43 versus -$0.07 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.01 versus -$0.43).
• The company's current return on equity greatly increased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of significant strength within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Pharmaceuticals industry and the overall market, SUCAMPO PHARMACEUTICALS INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Currently the debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70 is quite high overall and when compared to the industry average, suggesting that the current management of debt levels should be re-evaluated. Despite the company's weak debt-to-equity ratio, the company has managed to keep a very strong quick ratio of 2.59, which shows the ability to cover short-term cash needs.

.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs based on prostones and other novel drug technologies in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A has a market cap of $85.3 million and is part of the health care sector and drugs industry. Shares are up 22.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A 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 Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A click any of the following:

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Stock Price

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Analyst Ratings

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Key Stats & Profile

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Earnings

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Ratio Comparison

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Growth Rates

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Balance Sheet

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Cash Flow

• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. A Income Statement