NPK International (NYSE:NPKI – Get Free Report) and BlueLinx (NYSE:BXC – Get Free Report) are both small-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for NPK International and BlueLinx, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| NPK International | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.67 |
| BlueLinx | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
NPK International currently has a consensus target price of $18.00, suggesting a potential upside of 58.66%. BlueLinx has a consensus target price of $83.50, suggesting a potential upside of 7.17%. Given NPK International’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe NPK International is more favorable than BlueLinx.
Volatility & Risk
NPK International has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its stock price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BlueLinx has a beta of 1.43, indicating that its stock price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
80.8% of NPK International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.8% of BlueLinx shares are held by institutional investors. 4.2% of NPK International shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.6% of BlueLinx shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Profitability
This table compares NPK International and BlueLinx’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| NPK International | 14.19% | 11.31% | 9.24% |
| BlueLinx | -0.06% | 0.13% | 0.05% |
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares NPK International and BlueLinx”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| NPK International | $300.69 million | 3.20 | $38.94 million | $0.50 | 22.69 |
| BlueLinx | $2.95 billion | 0.21 | $220,000.00 | ($0.25) | -311.64 |
NPK International has higher earnings, but lower revenue than BlueLinx. BlueLinx is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than NPK International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
NPK International beats BlueLinx on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About NPK International
NPK International Inc. provides products, rentals, and services primarily to the oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) industry. It operates through two segments, Fluids Systems and Industrial Solutions. The Fluids Systems segment provides drilling, completion, and stimulation fluids products and related technical services to customers primarily in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as other countries in the Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Industrial Solutions segment offers composite matting system rentals utilized for temporary worksite access; related site construction and services to customers in various markets, including power transmission, E&P, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, construction, and other industries primarily in the United States and Europe; recyclable composite mats to customers worldwide; and access road construction, site planning and preparation, environmental protection, erosion control, and site restoration services. The company was formerly known as Newpark Resources, Inc. and changed its name to NPK International Inc. in December 2024. The company was incorporated in 1932 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
About BlueLinx
BlueLinx Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of residential and commercial building products in the United States. It distributes specialty products, including engineered wood, siding, millwork, outdoor living, specialty lumber and panels, and industrial products; and structural products, such as lumber, plywood, oriented strand boards, rebars and remesh, as well as other wood products that are used for structural support in construction projects. It also provides various value-added services and solutions to customers and suppliers. The company serves national home centers, pro dealers, cooperatives, specialty distributors, regional and local dealers, and industrial manufacturers. BlueLinx Holdings Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Marietta, Georgia.
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