Magnum Hunter Resources Corportion Stock Downgraded (MHR)

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) -- Magnum Hunter Resources Corportion (NYSE:MHR) 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 high debt management risk and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself.

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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 Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 1723.2% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $2.00 million to -$32.46 million.
• Current return on equity is lower than its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a clear sign of weakness within the company. Compared to other companies in the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry and the overall market, MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORP'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 -$1.85 million or 717.39% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, when comparing to the industry average, the firm's growth rate is much lower.
• MHR's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77 is somewhat low overall, but it is high when compared to the industry average, implying that the management of the debt levels should be evaluated further. Despite the fact that MHR's debt-to-equity ratio is mixed in its results, the company's quick ratio of 0.57 is low and demonstrates weak liquidity.
• The share price of MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORP has not done very well: it is down 20.13% 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.

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Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas primarily in West Virginia, North Dakota, Texas, and Louisiana. Magnum Hunter Resources Corportion has a market cap of $612.1 million and is part of the basic materials sector and energy industry. Shares are down 33.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

You can view the full Magnum Hunter Resources Corportion Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

-- Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff

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