Star Gas Partners L.P. Stock Upgraded (SGU)

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) -- Star Gas Partners L.P (NYSE:SGU) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, impressive record of earnings per share growth, reasonable valuation levels, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• SGU's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 7.3%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 13.6%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• STAR GAS PARTNERS -LP reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. During the past fiscal year, STAR GAS PARTNERS -LP increased its bottom line by earning $0.35 versus $0.20 in the prior year.
• The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.48, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Although the company had a strong debt-to-equity ratio, its quick ratio of 0.86 is somewhat weak and could be cause for future problems.
• The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. When compared to other companies in the Gas Utilities industry and the overall market, STAR GAS PARTNERS -LP's return on equity is below that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

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Star Gas Partners, L.P., through its subsidiary, Petro Holdings, Inc., operates as a home heating oil distributor and services provider in the United States. The company has a P/E ratio of 10.1, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Star Gas Partners L.P has a market cap of $244.3 million and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are down 16.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

You can view the full Star Gas Partners L.P 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 Star Gas Partners L.P. click any of the following:

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Stock Price

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Analyst Ratings

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Key Stats & Profile

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Earnings

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Ratio Comparison

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Growth Rates

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Balance Sheet

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Cash Flow

• Star Gas Partners L.P. Income Statement