Throwing in the Towel on SRA International

Originally recommended on Aug. 22/05 (IWB #2532) at $34.30. Closed Friday at $21.66 (prices in U.S. dollars).

Shares of SRA International (SRX) went into free-fall after the company announced third-quarter 2008 earnings that fell well short of analysts' estimates and cut its guidance for the rest of the year.

SRA showed a 20% year-over-year earnings gain, but the profit of 30c a share was a penny short of predictions. These days, even a one cent shortfall is an invitation for a market thrashing.

I'm throwing in the towel on this one. I recommended SRX as part of my Homeland Security package but this has not provided much security and is down 37% from where we recommended it at $34.30. There are better places for your money than this company and there is just not enough momentum behind this stock to get excited about.

Action now: Sell.

Disclosure: Long

Comments

[oldsraemployee]

I never understood the wildly overestimates on this stock. This is just another beltway bandit and a mid-teir one at that. There was not ever going to be massive growth in a company such as this one and the senior leadership is pretty dismal.
I expect this stock to drop to about $10 and stay there for a very long time. Look closely as this company really does not have much to offer and is no different from its far stronger competitors like SAIC, etc.