Acorn Energy Inc. Stock Downgraded (ACFN)

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) -- Acorn Energy (Nasdaq:ACFN) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to sell. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow and feeble growth in its earnings per share.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 109.2% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $40.80 million to -$3.75 million.
• Return on equity has greatly decreased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of major weakness within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry and the overall market, ACORN ENERGY INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has decreased to -$6.81 million or 27.90% 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.
• ACORN ENERGY INC has exprienced a steep decline in earnings per share in the most recent quarter in comparison to its performance from the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. We feel it is likely to report a decline in earnings in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, ACORN ENERGY INC turned its bottom line around by earning $0.31 versus -$0.48 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 367.7% in earnings (-$0.83 versus $0.31).
• 40.50% is the gross profit margin for ACORN ENERGY INC which we consider to be strong. 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 -74.20% is in-line with the industry average.

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Acorn Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides technology driven solutions for energy infrastructure asset management worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of -11.3, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Acorn Energy has a market cap of $142.5 million and is part of the technology sector and computer hardware industry. Shares are up 31% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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