Suntech Power, Dominion: Ratings Changes

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Here are three critical rating changes from TheStreet's stock model.

3.

The model upgraded precious-metals purchaser

Silver Wheaton

(SLW)

to "buy."

The numbers

: Silver Wheaton swung to a fourth-quarter profit of $51 million, or 15 cents a share, from a loss of $54 million, or 22 cents, a year earlier. Revenue tripled to $91 million. The operating margin widened from 33% to 56%. Silver Wheaton holds $228 million of cash and $503 million of debt.

The stock

: Silver Wheaton has more than doubled during the past year, outpacing major benchmarks. The stock trades at a price-to-book ratio of 3.1, a 25% discount to the industry average. It is expensive based on sales and cash flow. A beta of 2 suggests the shares swing more than the market.

2.

The model downgraded utility

Dominion Resources

(D) - Get Report

to "hold."

The numbers

: Dominion swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $4 million, or 1 cent, from a profit of $353 million, or 60 cents, a year earlier. Revenue decreased 22% to $3.3 billion. The operating margin fell into shallow negative territory. The company holds $48 million of cash and $18 billion of debt.

The stock

: Dominion Resources has gained 39% during the past year, lagging behind U.S. indices. The stock sells for a price-to-projected-earnings ratio of 12, a 24% discount to the peer-group average. It is expensive based on book value, sales and cash flow. The shares offer a 4.7% dividend yield.

1.

The model upgraded solar-panel maker

Suntech Power

(STP)

to "hold."

The numbers

: Suntech swung to a fourth-quarter profit of $50 million, or 27 cents, from a loss of $109 million, or 69 cents, a year earlier. Revenue grew 41% to $584 million. Its operating margin climbed from negative territory to 15%. The company holds $1.2 billion of cash and $1.5 billion of debt.

The stock

: Suntech Power has surged 169% during the past year, beating major benchmarks. The stock trades at a price-to-projected-earnings ratio of 16, an 18% discount to the industry average. It is also cheap based on book value and sales. A beta of 3.3 suggests the shares exaggerate market swings.

-- Reported by Jake Lynch in Boston.