That's the dubious distinction Weiss Ratings Inc. has handed Comprehensive Care Corp. of Tampa. Weiss, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, rated 310 stocks in the state and gave Comprehensive Care an E-, the worst a company can be rated without being in bankruptcy.
Weiss said its ratings are based on returns to shareholders over the past four years, prospects for the future based on financial and economic trends, financial stability and stock price volatility.
Comprehensive Care manages behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs for government agencies and managed care companies.
The company lost $7.7-million over the last three reported fiscal years, but might reverse that trend for the most recent fiscal year thanks to a big gain related to settling a debt to the IRS for back taxes. The stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board.
"It's the company's policy not to comment on analyst ratings and opinions," chairman Robert Landis said.
What does Weiss consider a good company? Lincare Holdings Inc., the Clearwater provider of respiratory services, and Maritrans Inc., the Tampa tug and barge operator, ranked among the top in the state.
But Weiss ratings don't necessarily correlate with investor performance. Through the first seven months of this year, Lincare's share price gained 15 percent, Maritrans' 20 percent and Comprehensive Care's a whopping 127 percent.
On Friday, Lincare closed at $35, up 61 cents; Maritrans at $14.55, up 15 cents; and Comprehensive Care at $2.65, unchanged.
