LHC Group Inc. Stock Upgraded (LHCG)

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) -- LHC Group (Nasdaq:LHCG) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, solid stock price performance and attractive valuation levels. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook.

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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 Health Care Providers & Services industry. The net income increased by 116.7% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$37.96 million to $6.34 million.
• LHCG's revenue growth trails the industry average of 17.5%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 3.6%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• LHCG's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.09 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. To add to this, LHCG has a quick ratio of 1.79, which demonstrates the ability of the company to cover short-term liquidity needs.
• 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. Turning our attention to the future direction of the stock, it goes without saying that even the best stocks can fall in an overall down market. However, in any other environment, this stock still has good upside potential despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year.

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LHC Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides post-acute health care services primarily to Medicare beneficiaries throughout the United States. The company has a P/E ratio of 13.8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. LHC Group has a market cap of $361.4 million and is part of the health care sector and health services industry. Shares are down 3.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

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

• LHC Group Inc. Stock Price

• LHC Group Inc. Analyst Ratings

• LHC Group Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• LHC Group Inc. Earnings

• LHC Group Inc. Ratio Comparison

• LHC Group Inc. Growth Rates

• LHC Group Inc. Balance Sheet

• LHC Group Inc. Cash Flow

• LHC Group Inc. Income Statement