Affymetrix Inc. Stock Downgraded (AFFX)

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) -- Affymetrix (Nasdaq:AFFX) 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, generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself 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 Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 82.4% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from -$9.79 million to -$17.86 million.
• 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. Compared to other companies in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry and the overall market, AFFYMETRIX INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly decreased to $5.51 million or 52.24% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.
• The share price of AFFYMETRIX INC has not done very well: it is down 24.65% and has underperformed the S&P 500, in part reflecting the company's sharply declining earnings per share when compared to the year-earlier quarter. The fact that the stock is now selling for less than others in its industry in relation to its current earnings is not reason enough to justify a buy rating at this time.
• AFFYMETRIX 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. The company has reported a trend of declining earnings per share over the past two years. However, the consensus estimate suggests that this trend should reverse in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, AFFYMETRIX INC reported poor results of -$0.40 versus -$0.15 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings (-$0.14 versus -$0.40).

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Affymetrix, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, sale, and servicing of consumables and systems for genetic analysis in the life sciences and clinical healthcare markets primarily in the United States, Europe, Japan. Affymetrix has a market cap of $229.7 million and is part of the technology sector and electronics industry. Shares are down 20.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

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

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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

• Affymetrix Inc. Stock Price

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• Affymetrix Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Affymetrix Inc. Earnings

• Affymetrix Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Affymetrix Inc. Growth Rates

• Affymetrix Inc. Balance Sheet

• Affymetrix Inc. Cash Flow

• Affymetrix Inc. Income Statement