Ballantyne Strong Inc Stock Downgraded (BTN)

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) -- Ballantyne Strong (AMEX:BTN) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• BTN's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 15.9%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 24.2%. 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.
• BTN 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. To add to this, BTN has a quick ratio of 1.85, which demonstrates the ability of the company to cover short-term liquidity needs.
• Compared to where it was a year ago today, the stock is now trading at a higher level, regardless of the company's weak earnings results. Despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year, there is currently no conclusive evidence that warrants the purchase or sale of this stock.
• The gross profit margin for BALLANTYNE STRONG INC is currently extremely low, coming in at 13.60%. It has decreased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 3.90% significantly trails the industry average.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to -$4.23 million or 145.75% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.

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Ballantyne Strong, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and distribution of theatre and lighting systems worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of 5.5, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Ballantyne Strong has a market cap of $56.3 million and is part of the consumer goods sector and consumer durables industry. Shares are down 2.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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