WillScot (NASDAQ:WSC – Get Free Report) and Star (NASDAQ:STHO – Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings and profitability.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
95.8% of WillScot shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.3% of Star shares are held by institutional investors. 3.1% of WillScot shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.7% of Star shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares WillScot and Star”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| WillScot | $2.40 billion | 1.50 | $28.13 million | $1.21 | 16.31 |
| Star | $113.30 million | 0.88 | -$86.75 million | ($11.08) | -0.71 |
WillScot has higher revenue and earnings than Star. Star is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WillScot, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares WillScot and Star’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| WillScot | 9.64% | 23.09% | 3.93% |
| Star | -125.63% | -33.77% | -17.79% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings for WillScot and Star, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| WillScot | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2.50 |
| Star | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
WillScot presently has a consensus price target of $26.63, indicating a potential upside of 34.88%. Given WillScot’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe WillScot is more favorable than Star.
Volatility and Risk
WillScot has a beta of 1.12, meaning that its share price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Star has a beta of 1.23, meaning that its share price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
WillScot beats Star on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About WillScot
WillScot Holdings Corporation provides workspace and portable storage solutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates in two segments, Modular Solutions and Storage Solutions. Its modular solutions include panelized and stackable offices, single-wide modular space units, section modulars and redi-plex, classrooms, ground level offices, blast-resistant modules, clearspan structures, and other modular space; and portable storage solutions, such as portable and cold storage containers, as well as trailers. The company leases modular space and portable storage units to customers in the construction, commercial and industrial, retail and wholesale trade, energy and natural resources, education, government and institutions, and healthcare markets. The company offers its solutions primarily under the WillScot and Mobile Mini brand names. The company was formerly known as WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. and changed its name to WillScot Holdings Corporation in July 2024. WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
About Star
Star Holdings engages in the non-ground lease related commercial real estate businesses in the United States. Its portfolio primarily comprises interest in the Asbury Park Waterfront and Magnolia Green residential development projects. Star Holdings is based in New York, New York.
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