Edgewater Technology Inc. Stock Upgraded (EDGW)

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) -- Edgewater Technology (Nasdaq:EDGW) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• EDGEWATER TECHNOLOGY INC reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, EDGEWATER TECHNOLOGY INC increased its bottom line by earning $0.13 versus $0.02 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($0.24 versus $0.13).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the IT Services industry. The net income increased by 118.1% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$1.91 million to $0.35 million.
• EDGW has no debt to speak of therefore resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of zero, which we consider to be a relatively favorable sign. To add to this, EDGW has a quick ratio of 1.96, which demonstrates the ability of the company to cover short-term liquidity needs.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly increased by 11984.84% to $3.92 million when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, EDGEWATER TECHNOLOGY INC has also vastly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of -30.11%.
• Compared to where it was a year ago today, the stock is now trading at a higher level, reflecting both the market's overall trend during that period and the fact that the company's earnings growth has been robust. Looking ahead, the stock's rise over the last year has already helped drive it to a level which is relatively expensive compared to the rest of its industry. We feel, however, that the other strengths this company displays justify these higher price levels.

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Edgewater Technology, Inc., a consulting firm, provides advisory and product-based consulting services to its client base in North America. The company has a P/E ratio of 32.7, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Edgewater Technology has a market cap of $45.8 million and is part of the technology sector and computer software & services industry. Shares are up 11.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

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

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• Edgewater Technology Inc. Income Statement