Harte Hanks (NASDAQ:HHS – Get Free Report) and Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR – Get Free Report) are both communication services companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
33.8% of Harte Hanks shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.8% of Charter Communications shares are owned by institutional investors. 9.6% of Harte Hanks shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Charter Communications shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Harte Hanks and Charter Communications, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Harte Hanks | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Charter Communications | 7 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 1.91 |
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Harte Hanks and Charter Communications”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Harte Hanks | $159.57 million | 0.20 | -$810,000.00 | ($0.76) | -5.75 |
| Charter Communications | $54.77 billion | 0.23 | $4.99 billion | $38.51 | 2.78 |
Charter Communications has higher revenue and earnings than Harte Hanks. Harte Hanks is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Charter Communications, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Risk & Volatility
Harte Hanks has a beta of 0.17, indicating that its share price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Charter Communications has a beta of 0.7, indicating that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Harte Hanks and Charter Communications’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Harte Hanks | -3.70% | -30.14% | -6.30% |
| Charter Communications | 9.05% | 23.71% | 3.19% |
Summary
Charter Communications beats Harte Hanks on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Harte Hanks
Harte-Hanks, Inc. engages in the provision of marketing solutions. It specializes in consulting, data analytics, creative services, digital and social media, marketing strategy, marketing technology, and other related services. It supports a range of customers in the field of technology, travel and leisure, entertainment, pharmaceuticals, automotive, finance, and retail. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in San Antonio, TX.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, Inc. operates as a broadband connectivity and cable operator company serving residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers subscription-based internet, video, and mobile and voice services; a suite of broadband connectivity services, including fixed internet, WiFi, and mobile; Advanced WiFi services; Spectrum Security Shield; in-home WiFi, which provides customers with high performance wireless routers and managed WiFi services to enhance their fixed wireless internet experience; out-of-home WiFi; and Spectrum WiFi services. It also offers voice communications services using voice over internet protocol technology; and broadband communications solutions, such as internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity, video entertainment, and business telephone services to cellular towers and office buildings for business and carrier organizations. In addition, the company provides mobile services; video programming, static IP and business WiFi, voice, and e-mail and security services; sells local advertising across various platforms for networks, such as TBS, CNN, and ESPN; sells advertising inventory to local sports and news channels; and offers Audience App to create data-driven linear TV campaigns for local advertisers. Further, the company offers communications products and managed service solutions; data connectivity services to mobile and wireline carriers on a wholesale basis; and owns and operates regional sports networks and news channels. It serves approximately 32 million customers in 41 states. Charter Communications, Inc.was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
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