Quantum-Si (NASDAQ:QSI – Get Free Report) and Sono-Tek (NASDAQ:SOTK – Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends and valuation.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
39.9% of Quantum-Si shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.9% of Sono-Tek shares are held by institutional investors. 22.0% of Quantum-Si shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.5% of Sono-Tek shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Risk and Volatility
Quantum-Si has a beta of 3.18, suggesting that its stock price is 218% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sono-Tek has a beta of -0.03, suggesting that its stock price is 103% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Quantum-Si | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 |
| Sono-Tek | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.50 |
Quantum-Si presently has a consensus price target of $1.00, indicating a potential upside of 12.99%. Sono-Tek has a consensus price target of $8.50, indicating a potential upside of 38.89%. Given Sono-Tek’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Sono-Tek is more favorable than Quantum-Si.
Profitability
This table compares Quantum-Si and Sono-Tek’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Quantum-Si | -5,605.88% | -47.35% | -42.66% |
| Sono-Tek | 8.64% | 9.52% | 7.45% |
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Quantum-Si and Sono-Tek”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Quantum-Si | $2.44 million | 78.98 | -$101.34 million | ($0.51) | -1.74 |
| Sono-Tek | $20.91 million | 4.60 | $1.81 million | $0.11 | 55.64 |
Sono-Tek has higher revenue and earnings than Quantum-Si. Quantum-Si is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sono-Tek, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Sono-Tek beats Quantum-Si on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Quantum-Si
Quantum-Si incorporated, a life sciences company, engages in the development of single-molecule detection platform to enable Next Generation Protein Sequencing (NGPS). The company's platform is comprised of the Platinum NGPS instrument; the Platinum Analysis Software service; and reagent kits and semiconductor chips for use with its instruments. It is used in protein identification, protein variants, antibody characterization, biomarker identification, and post translational modification analysis applications. The company was founded in 2013 is headquartered in Branford, Connecticut.
About Sono-Tek
Sono-Tek Corporation designs and manufactures ultrasonic coating systems for applying on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical, industrial, and research and development/other markets worldwide. The company also designs and manufactures custom-engineered ultrasonic coating systems; and provides nozzles and generators for manufacturers' equipment. Its products include integrated multi-axis coating systems, integrated coating systems, fluxing systems, OEM systems, and other related systems. In addition, the company provides surface coating solutions and application consulting services. It markets and distributes its products through direct sales personnel, select independent distributors, and sales representatives. The company was incorporated in 1975 and is based in Milton, New York.
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