NetApp Inc. Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (NTAP)

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) -- NetApp (Nasdaq:NTAP) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in net income, revenue growth, good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

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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 Computers & Peripherals industry. The net income increased by 32.2% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $119.60 million to $158.10 million.
• NTAP's revenue growth trails the industry average of 18.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 4.1%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• Net operating cash flow has increased to $365.10 million or 35.62% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, NETAPP INC has also modestly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of 34.12%.
• The gross profit margin for NETAPP INC is rather high; currently it is at 64.50%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Despite the strong results of the gross profit margin, NTAP's net profit margin of 9.69% significantly trails the industry average.
• NETAPP INC has improved earnings per share by 34.4% 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, NETAPP INC reported lower earnings of $1.57 versus $1.71 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.28 versus $1.57).

NetApp, Inc. engages in design, manufacture, marketing, and technical support of networked storage solutions. The company supply enterprise storage and data management software, and hardware products and services. NetApp has a market cap of $12.11 billion and is part of the technology sector and computer hardware industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 23.6, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 0.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

You can view the full NetApp Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

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For more information on NetApp Inc. click any of the following:

• NetApp Inc. Stock Price

• NetApp Inc. Analyst Ratings

• NetApp Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• NetApp Inc. Earnings

• NetApp Inc. Ratio Comparison

• NetApp Inc. Growth Rates

• NetApp Inc. Balance Sheet

• NetApp Inc. Cash Flow

• NetApp Inc. Income Statement