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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Stage Stores (SSI) - Get Report has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from Hold to Buy with a ratings score of B+.  TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate STAGE STORES INC (SSI) a BUY. This is driven by a number of strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. 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, revenue growth, attractive valuation levels and expanding profit margins. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results."

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

• STAGE STORES INC has improved earnings per share by 43.1% 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 year. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, STAGE STORES INC increased its bottom line by earning $1.17 versus $0.79 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($1.32 versus $1.17).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Specialty Retail industry. The net income increased by 75.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $24.86 million to $43.72 million.
• Despite its growing revenue, the company underperformed as compared with the industry average of 14.5%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 6.6%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
• 35.80% is the gross profit margin for STAGE STORES INC which we consider to be strong. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 8.32% is above that of the industry average.
• You can view the full analysis from the report here: SSI Ratings Report