MultiSensor AI (NASDAQ:MSAI – Get Free Report) and LightPath Technologies (NASDAQ:LPTH – Get Free Report) are both small-cap technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares MultiSensor AI and LightPath Technologies”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| MultiSensor AI | $6.27 million | 1.18 | -$11.71 million | ($5.62) | -0.60 |
| LightPath Technologies | $71.72 million | 8.09 | -$20.55 million | ($0.40) | -20.70 |
MultiSensor AI has higher earnings, but lower revenue than LightPath Technologies. LightPath Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MultiSensor AI, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Risk and Volatility
MultiSensor AI has a beta of -0.22, indicating that its share price is 122% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LightPath Technologies has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its share price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
82.3% of MultiSensor AI shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.3% of LightPath Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 50.8% of MultiSensor AI shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 24.8% of LightPath Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Profitability
This table compares MultiSensor AI and LightPath Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| MultiSensor AI | -141.70% | -36.08% | -31.31% |
| LightPath Technologies | -28.65% | -7.02% | -4.13% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current recommendations for MultiSensor AI and LightPath Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| MultiSensor AI | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 |
| LightPath Technologies | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2.83 |
LightPath Technologies has a consensus target price of $13.70, indicating a potential upside of 65.46%. Given LightPath Technologies’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe LightPath Technologies is more favorable than MultiSensor AI.
Summary
LightPath Technologies beats MultiSensor AI on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About MultiSensor AI
MultiSensor AI Holdings, Inc. manufactures and distributes multi-sensor systems for thermographic and other use in various industrial applications in the United States and internationally. The company offers sensor devices ranging from small to large handheld designs with built-in displays and controls, fixed-mounted pan-tilt-zoom single- and multi-sensor camera standalone systems, and mobile multi-sensor payload and gimbal systems for unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. It also provides on-prem and cloud-based software and services, including training, calibration, and repairs for its customers operating in the distribution and logistics, manufacturing, utility, and oil and gas sectors. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Beaumont, Texas.
About LightPath Technologies
LightPath Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes optical components and assemblies. The company offers precision molded glass aspheric optics, molded and diamond-turned infrared aspheric lenses, and other optical components used to produce products that manipulate light; and infrared products, including catalog and custom infrared optics. Its products are used in defense products, medical devices, laser aided industrial tools, automotive safety applications, barcode scanners, optical data storage, hybrid fiber coax datacom, telecommunications, machine vision and sensors, and other sectors. The company sells its products directly to customers in Europe and Asia. LightPath Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
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