Greif Inc. Stock Upgraded (GEF)

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) -- Greif (NYSE:GEF) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.

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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 Containers & Packaging industry. The net income increased by 27.4% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $20.80 million to $26.50 million.
• GREIF INC has improved earnings per share by 27.3% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, GREIF INC reported lower earnings of $2.67 versus $3.73 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($3.03 versus $2.67).
• Net operating cash flow has slightly increased to $153.50 million or 2.59% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite an increase in cash flow, GREIF INC's cash flow growth rate is still lower than the industry average growth rate of 16.49%.
• GEF, with its decline in revenue, slightly underperformed the industry average of 1.3%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly dropped by 4.9%. The declining revenue has not hurt the company's bottom line, with increasing earnings per share.

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Greif, Inc. manufactures and sells industrial packaging products worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of 22.3, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Greif has a market cap of $1.23 billion and is part of the consumer goods sector and consumer non-durables industry. Shares are up 8.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Greif 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 Greif Inc. click any of the following:

• Greif Inc. Stock Price

• Greif Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Greif Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Greif Inc. Earnings

• Greif Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Greif Inc. Growth Rates

• Greif Inc. Balance Sheet

• Greif Inc. Cash Flow

• Greif Inc. Income Statement