ComScore Inc. Stock Upgraded (SCOR)

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) -- comScore (Nasdaq:SCOR) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, revenue growth and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the stock has had a generally disappointing performance in the past year.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The company, on the basis of net income growth from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly outperformed against the S&P 500 and exceeded that of the Internet Software & Services industry average. The net income increased by 20.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from -$3.94 million to -$3.12 million.
• SCOR's revenue growth trails the industry average of 33.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 9.4%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• COMSCORE INC has improved earnings per share by 25.0% 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, COMSCORE INC reported poor results of -$0.49 versus -$0.05 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings (-$0.33 versus -$0.49).
• 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. Compared to other companies in the Internet Software & Services industry and the overall market, COMSCORE INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• SCOR's stock share price has done very poorly compared to where it was a year ago: Despite any rallies, the net result is that it is down by 33.23%, which is also worse that the performance of the S&P 500 Index. Investors have so far failed to pay much attention to the earnings improvements the company has managed to achieve over the last quarter. Naturally, the overall market trend is bound to be a significant factor. However, in one sense, the stock's sharp decline last year is a positive for future investors, making it cheaper (in proportion to its earnings over the past year) than most other stocks in its industry. But due to other concerns, we feel the stock is still not a good buy right now.

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comScore, Inc. provides a range of digital analytics solutions primarily in the United States, Europe, and Canada. comScore has a market cap of $535.9 million and is part of the services sector and diversified services industry. Shares are up 9.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

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

• comScore Inc. Stock Price

• comScore Inc. Analyst Ratings

• comScore Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• comScore Inc. Earnings

• comScore Inc. Ratio Comparison

• comScore Inc. Growth Rates

• comScore Inc. Balance Sheet

• comScore Inc. Cash Flow

• comScore Inc. Income Statement