Every day, the sun rises on Wall Street, and a plethora of professional analysts wake to issue new opinions on stocks. Here at the Fool, we use our "This Just In" column to examine some of these picks -- and the track records of the firm behind them -- so individuals can make better investing decisions.
In addition to following professional banks, anyone can use Motley Fool CAPS to monitor the collective opinions of more than 135,000 members, many of whom demonstrate better investing insight than published analysts.
Enough top-performing CAPS members have turned bullish on Star Bulk Carriers (Nasdaq: SBLK ) recently to upgrade it from the three- and four-star rank it has held for months to a more formidable five stars. A total of 326 members have given their opinion on the dry bulk carrier, with many offering analysis and commentary to explain their recent optimism.
Like its larger peers Diana Shipping (NYSE: DSX ) and DryShips (Nasdaq: DRYS ) , Star Bulk Carriers is based out of Athens, Greece, and it transports commodities such as iron ore, coal, and fertilizer. Star Bulk recently reported its sixth consecutive profitable quarter, with net income increasing 34%, and revenue up 8%, to $45.1 million. It said it has secured contracts for 100% of its fleet operating days in 2009, and 71% for 2010, laying the groundwork for more predictable cash flows in the near term. Its fleet utilization also compares well to those of peers; it holds a slight edge on Navios Holdings (NYSE: NM ) and clears the numbers at Excel Maritime Carriers (NYSE: EXM ) .
Earlier in the year, Star Bulk announced that its creditors had provided some relief from debt covenants, similar to the tack taken by other shippers such as Genco Shipping (NYSE: GNK ) , TBS International (Nasdaq: TBSI ) , and others. While DryShips shamelessly revisited the equity markets recently to raise cash, Star Bulk’s improving liquidity has many CAPS members feeling bullish, as the company sits on $72 million in cash. It also expects that figure to increase by the end of the year, even after making a debt repayment, since it is generating about $108,000 net cash daily.
To see what the very best CAPS analysts are saying now about Star Bulk Carriers-- as well as other winning stocks they are picking -- head on over to CAPS and have a look. The community research and resources in CAPS are totally free, unlike analyst opinions reserved for paying clients.
More Foolishness:
RSS Headlines
Fool UK