Encana Corp Stock Sell Recommendation Reiterated (ECA)

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) -- Encana (NYSE:ECA) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a sell with a ratings score of D . The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its feeble growth in its earnings per share, deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow and generally high debt management risk.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• ENCANA CORP 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. The company has reported a trend of declining earnings per share over the past two years. During the past fiscal year, ENCANA CORP reported lower earnings of $0.15 versus $2.00 in the prior year.
• 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 Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 1136.7% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $120.00 million to -$1,244.00 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 Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry and the overall market, ENCANA CORP's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has decreased to $1,142.00 million or 14.58% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite a decrease in cash flow of 14.58%, ENCANA CORP is in line with the industry average cash flow growth rate of -15.36%.
• The debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41 is relatively high when compared with the industry average, suggesting a need for better debt level management. Regardless of the company's weak debt-to-equity ratio, ECA has managed to keep a strong quick ratio of 1.75, which demonstrates the ability to cover short-term cash needs.

Encana Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in the exploration for, development, production, and marketing of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids. Encana has a market cap of $15.44 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are up 13.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

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

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

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