Solar Capital Ltd. Stock Upgraded (SLRC)

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) -- Solar Capital (Nasdaq:SLRC) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, notable return on equity, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster 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 Capital Markets industry. The net income increased by 158.2% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$51.94 million to $30.24 million.
• SLRC's revenue growth trails the industry average of 26.2%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 15.0%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• Current return on equity exceeded its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a clear sign of strength within the company. Compared to other companies in the Capital Markets industry and the overall market, SOLAR CAPITAL LTD's return on equity exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has increased to -$41.50 million or 43.18% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, SOLAR CAPITAL LTD has also vastly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of -274.03%.
• The gross profit margin for SOLAR CAPITAL LTD is rather high; currently it is at 63.50%. Regardless of SLRC's high profit margin, it has managed to decrease from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, SLRC's net profit margin of 74.40% significantly outperformed against the industry.

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Solar Capital Ltd. is a business development company specializing in investments in leveraged middle market companies. The company has a P/E ratio of 5.8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Solar has a market cap of $883 million and is part of the financial sector and financial services industry. Shares are up 3.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Solar 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 Solar Capital Ltd. click any of the following:

• Solar Capital Ltd. Stock Price

• Solar Capital Ltd. Analyst Ratings

• Solar Capital Ltd. Key Stats & Profile

• Solar Capital Ltd. Earnings

• Solar Capital Ltd. Ratio Comparison

• Solar Capital Ltd. Growth Rates

• Solar Capital Ltd. Balance Sheet

• Solar Capital Ltd. Cash Flow

• Solar Capital Ltd. Income Statement