Active Power Inc. Stock Upgraded (ACPW)

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) -- Active Power (Nasdaq:ACPW) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, compelling growth in net income and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company's revenue growth has not been good.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Looking at where the stock is today compared to one year ago, we find that it is not only higher, but it has also clearly outperformed the rise in the S&P 500 over the same period. Although other factors naturally played a role, the company's strong earnings growth was key. Despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year, there is currently no conclusive evidence that warrants the purchase or sale of this stock.
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Electrical Equipment industry. The net income increased by 87.5% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$3.34 million to -$0.42 million.
• 41.60% is the gross profit margin for ACTIVE POWER INC which we consider to be strong. It has increased significantly from the same period last year. Regardless of the strong results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of -2.74% trails the industry average.
• ACPW, with its decline in revenue, underperformed when compared the industry average of 1.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues fell by 16.8%. The declining revenue has not hurt the company's bottom line, with increasing earnings per share.
• The company's current return on equity greatly increased when compared to its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a signal of significant strength within the corporation. Compared to other companies in the Electrical Equipment industry and the overall market, ACTIVE POWER INC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

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Active Power, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets critical power quality solutions. Active has a market cap of $91.7 million and is part of the industrial goods sector and industrial industry. Shares are up 43.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

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

• Active Power Inc. Stock Price

• Active Power Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Active Power Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Active Power Inc. Earnings

• Active Power Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Active Power Inc. Growth Rates

• Active Power Inc. Balance Sheet

• Active Power Inc. Cash Flow

• Active Power Inc. Income Statement