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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Alkermes Plc (ALKS) - Get Report has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from Hold to Sell with a ratings score of D+.  TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

TheStreet Ratings team rates ALKERMES PLC as a Sell with a ratings score of D+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate ALKERMES PLC (ALKS) a SELL. This is driven by some concerns, which we believe should have a greater impact than any strengths, and could make it more difficult for investors to achieve positive results compared to most of the stocks we cover. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its feeble growth in its earnings per share and deteriorating net income."

Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows:

• ALKERMES PLC has experienced a steep decline in earnings per share in the most recent quarter in comparison to its performance from the same quarter a year ago. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 338.5% in earnings (-$0.31 versus $0.13).
• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Biotechnology industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 414.8% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from -$7.76 million to -$39.96 million.
• Compared to other companies in the Biotechnology industry and the overall market, ALKERMES PLC's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• The gross profit margin for ALKERMES PLC is currently very high, coming in at 76.66%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Regardless of the strong results of the gross profit margin, the net profit margin of -24.97% is in-line with the industry average.
• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, ALKS's share price has jumped by 46.84%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Despite the fact that the stock's value has already enjoyed nice gains in the past year, we feel that the risks surrounding an investment in this stock outweigh any potential future returns.
• You can view the full analysis from the report here: ALKS Ratings Report