OM Group Inc. Stock Upgraded (OMG)

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) -- OM Group (NYSE:OMG) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and attractive valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including poor profit margins and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Chemicals industry. The net income increased by 108.1% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$68.25 million to $5.51 million.
• The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.48, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Along with the favorable debt-to-equity ratio, the company maintains an adequate quick ratio of 1.43, which illustrates the ability to avoid short-term cash problems.
• OM GROUP 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, OM GROUP INC reported lower earnings of $1.22 versus $2.70 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.00 versus $1.22).
• OMG's stock share price has done very poorly compared to where it was a year ago: Despite any rallies, the net result is that it is down by 32.09%, which is also worse that the performance of the S&P 500 Index. Investors have so far failed to pay much attention to the earnings improvements the company has managed to achieve over the last quarter. Turning toward the future, the fact that the stock has come down in price over the past year should not necessarily be interpreted as a negative; it could be one of the factors that may help make the stock attractive down the road. Right now, however, we believe that it is too soon to buy.
• The gross profit margin for OM GROUP INC is currently lower than what is desirable, coming in at 30.30%. It has decreased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 1.40% trails that of the industry average.

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OM Group, Inc. operates as a diversified specialty chemicals and materials company worldwide. The company operates in four segments: Magnetic Technologies, Advanced Materials, Specialty Chemicals, and Battery Technologies. The company has a P/E ratio of -19.8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. OM Group has a market cap of $596.3 million and is part of the basic materials sector and chemicals industry. Shares are down 17.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

You can view the full OM 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.

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For more information on OM Group Inc. click any of the following:

• OM Group Inc. Stock Price

• OM Group Inc. Analyst Ratings

• OM Group Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• OM Group Inc. Earnings

• OM Group Inc. Ratio Comparison

• OM Group Inc. Growth Rates

• OM Group Inc. Balance Sheet

• OM Group Inc. Cash Flow

• OM Group Inc. Income Statement