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 ) -- Ladenburg Thalman Financial Services (AMEX: LTS ) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and poor profit margins.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• LTS's very impressive revenue growth greatly exceeded the industry average of 10.4%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues leaped by 226.9%. 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.


• Net operating cash flow has increased to $2.85 million or 23.13% when compared to the same quarter last year. In addition, LADENBURG THALMANN FINL SERV has also vastly surpassed the industry average cash flow growth rate of -71.91%.


• LADENBURG THALMANN FINL SERV's earnings per share declined by 50.0% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. We feel it is likely to report a decline in earnings in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, LADENBURG THALMANN FINL SERV turned its bottom line around by earning $0.01 versus -$0.07 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 550.0% in earnings (-$0.05 versus $0.01).


• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Capital Markets industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 96.6% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from -$3.07 million to -$6.04 million.


• Current return on equity is lower than its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a clear sign of weakness within the company. Compared to other companies in the Capital Markets industry and the overall market, LADENBURG THALMANN FINL SERV's return on equity significantly trails that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., an investment bank, through its subsidiaries, provides independent brokerage and advisory services primarily to corporate and institutional clients, and high net-worth individuals in the United States. Ladenburg Thalman Financial Services has a market cap of $284.6 million and is part of the financial sector and financial services industry. Shares are up 14.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

You can view the full Ladenburg Thalman Financial Services 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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