Georgia Gulf Corp Stock Upgraded (GGC)

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) -- Georgia Gulf (NYSE: GGC) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• GGC's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 2.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 4.3%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, GGC's share price has jumped by 87.19%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Regarding the stock's future course, although almost any stock can fall in a broad market decline, GGC should continue to move higher despite the fact that it has already enjoyed a very nice gain in the past year.
• Net operating cash flow has significantly increased by 1593.70% to $70.53 million when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, GEORGIA GULF CORP has also vastly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of -1.37%.
• The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Chemicals industry and the overall market on the basis of return on equity, GEORGIA GULF CORP has underperformed in comparison with the industry average, but has exceeded that of the S&P 500.

Georgia Gulf Corporation engages in the manufacture and marketing of chemicals and building products in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Chlorovinyls, Building Products, and Aromatics. The company has a P/E ratio of 15.6, below the average chemicals industry P/E ratio of 15.9 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Georgia Gulf has a market cap of $1.26 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and chemicals industry. Shares are up 85.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Georgia Gulf 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