Destination Maternity Corp Stock Upgraded (DEST)

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) -- Destination Maternity (Nasdaq: DEST) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Looking at where the stock is today compared to one year ago, we find that it is not only higher, but it has also clearly outperformed the rise in the S&P 500 over the same period. Although other factors naturally played a role, the company's strong earnings growth was key. Turning our attention to the future direction of the stock, it goes without saying that even the best stocks can fall in an overall down market. However, in any other environment, this stock still has good upside potential despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year.
• 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 69.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $2.26 million to $3.84 million.
• Net operating cash flow has slightly increased to $24.38 million or 2.84% when compared to the same quarter last year. The firm also exceeded the industry average cash flow growth rate of -21.35%.
• The gross profit margin for DESTINATION MATERNITY CORP is rather high; currently it is at 52.60%. 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 2.84% trails the industry average.

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Destination Maternity Corporation engages in the design and retail of maternity clothing in the United States. It offers casual and career wear, formal attire, lingerie, sportswear, and outerwear. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.2, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Destination Maternity has a market cap of $304.4 million and is part of the services sector and retail industry. Shares are up 4.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

You can view the full Destination Maternity 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.

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