BOSTON (TheStreet) -- To wager on stocks under $5, investors need to guard against pitfalls, with bankruptcy as the top concern. The Altman Z-score is one of the most helpful gauges, as it is one of only a few that determines which companies are at a higher risk of going broke.
The
, a formula developed by New York University professor Edward Altman in 1968, measures companies' financial health to predict which may enter bankruptcy within two years. The gauge was 80% to 90% accurate on samples of distressed firms one year prior to bankruptcy by examining working capital, retained earnings and other measures, according to Altman's study.
Altman Z-scores carry three classifications. Companies with an Altman Z-score of at least 3 are considered "safe," while those with 1.8 or less are "distressed." Those in between are in a gray zone. Some stocks trading under $5 even have a negative score.
TheStreet
ranked companies on the
New York Stock Exchange
, NYSE Amex and
Nasdaq
trading at less than $5 with a minimum $5 million market value and the strongest Altman Z-score. Each company's quick ratio is given, which helps measure the ability to meet short-term obligations.
5.
EpiCept
( EPCT)
Company Profile
: EpiCept is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer and pain.
Altman Z-score
: -60.46
Closing Price
: 61 cents (Sept. 15)
Financial Metrics
: EpiCept has a negative book value, as liabilities outpace assets. However, EpiCept's quick ratio, which measures the ability to meet short-term obligations with its most liquid assets, is 1.2, indicating the pharmaceutical company should be able to meet its current liabilities.
Analyst Consensus
: Only one research firm covers EpiCept and recommends that investors buy shares of the company.
4.
New Generation Biofuels
(NGBF)
Company Profile
: New Generation Biofuels is a renewable-biofuels provider that is marketing a new class of "second generation" biofuels for use in diesel-fuel applications, including power generation, commercial and industrial heating, and marine transportation.
Altman Z-score
: -64
Closing Price
: 18.5 cents (Sept. 15)
Financial Metrics
: Like EpiCept, New Generation Biofuels has a negative book value per share. New Generation Biofuels' quick ratio, which measures the ability to meet short-term obligations with its most liquid assets, is a mere 0.1, indicating the company would have difficulty meeting its current liabilities.
Analyst Consensus
: The sole analyst covering New Generation Biofuels has a "buy" rating on the stock.
3.
TearLab
(TEAR)
Company Profile
: Formerly known as
OccuLogix
, TearLab is an ophthalmic-device company commercializing a proprietary in-vitro diagnostic-tear testing platform, the TearLab test for dry-eye disease.
Altman Z-score
: -88.82
Closing Price
: $2.62 (Sept. 15)
Financial Metrics
: TearLab has a price-to-book ratio of 3.4, which suggests the stock may be overvalued based on book value. TearLab's quick ratio, which measures the ability to meet short-term obligations with its most liquid assets, is 1.5, indicating the ophthalmic device company should be able to meet its current liabilities.
Analyst Consensus
: No analyst covers TearLab.
2.
Nymox Pharmaceutical
(NYMX) - Get Report
Company Profile
: Nymox Pharmaceutical is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development of diagnostics and drugs for brain disorders and diseases of the aged with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease.
Altman Z-score
: -114.08
Closing Price
: $3.72 (Sept. 15)
Financial Metrics
: Nymox Pharmaceutical has a negative book value, as liabilities outpace assets. Nymox's quick ratio, which measures the ability to meet short-term obligations with its most liquid assets, is 0.5, indicating the company would be unable to meet its current liabilities.
Analyst Consensus
: No research firm has coverage of Nymox Pharmaceutical.
1.
Asure Software
(ASUR) - Get Report
Company Profile
: Asure Software is a provider of Web-based workforce-management services that enable organizations to manage its office environment as well as human-resource and payroll processes.
Altman Z-score
: -158.84
Closing Price
: $2.59 (Sept. 15)
Financial Metrics
: Asure Software has a price-to-book ratio of 2.97, which suggests the stock may be overvalued based on book value. Asure's quick ratio, which measures the ability to meet short-term obligations with its most liquid assets, is 0.6, indicating the software company would have trouble meeting its current liabilities.
Analyst Consensus
: No analyst covers Asure, although one research firm had a "buy" rating on the stock about three months ago.
-- Written by Robert Holmes in Boston
.
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Disclosure: TheStreet's editorial policy prohibits staff editors, reporters and analysts from holding positions in any individual stocks.
