First California Financial Group Inc. Stock Downgraded (FCAL)

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) -- First California Financial Group (Nasdaq:FCAL) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, revenue growth and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow.

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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 Commercial Banks industry. The net income increased by 37.7% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $2.52 million to $3.46 million.
• FCAL's revenue growth trails the industry average of 14.8%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 2.0%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• The gross profit margin for FIRST CALIF FINL GROUP INC is currently very high, coming in at 86.90%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Regardless of the strong results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of 16.20% trails the industry average.
• 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. When compared to other companies in the Commercial Banks industry and the overall market, FIRST CALIF FINL GROUP INC's return on equity is below that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to $3.19 million or 50.46% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing the cash generation rate to the industry average, the firm's growth is significantly lower.

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First California Financial Group, Inc. operates as the holding company for First California Bank that provides commercial banking services to individuals, professionals, and small- to mid-sized business in California. The company has a P/E ratio of 21.9, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. First California Financial Group has a market cap of $223.8 million and is part of the financial sector and banking industry. Shares are up 135% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

You can view the full First California Financial Group Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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• First California Financial Group Inc. Income Statement