Critical Review: Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) & WESCO International (NYSE:WCC)

Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) and WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and WESCO International”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
WESCO International	$23.51 billion	0.75	$640.20 million	$14.47	25.11

WESCO International has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Visual Sciences.

Profitability

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and WESCO International’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A
WESCO International	2.84%	14.95%	4.45%

Volatility and Risk

Applied Visual Sciences has a beta of 6.79, indicating that its stock price is 579% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, WESCO International has a beta of 1.54, indicating that its stock price is 54% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

93.8% of WESCO International shares are owned by institutional investors. 33.0% of Applied Visual Sciences shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.6% of WESCO International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Applied Visual Sciences and WESCO International, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Visual Sciences	0	0	0	0	0.00
WESCO International	0	1	7	1	3.00

WESCO International has a consensus price target of $374.29, suggesting a potential upside of 3.00%. Given WESCO International’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe WESCO International is more favorable than Applied Visual Sciences.

Summary

WESCO International beats Applied Visual Sciences on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Applied Visual Sciences

Applied Visual Sciences, Inc., a software technology company, designs and develops computer-vision detection solutions based on image processing science for aviation/homeland security and healthcare markets. It utilizes imaging technologies and analytics to create integrated information management technology products and services that address problems for corporations and governmental agencies. The company offers PinPoint, an intelligent computer-vision automated target recognition technology for the detection of guns, explosives, and other threat items contained in baggage in the airport environment or for building security applications; and Signature Mapping platform technology for use in the imaging field of diagnostic radiology and pathology. It also provides Signature Mapping Detection System, an automated hardware-software laboratory solution used to operate various infectious disease applications through multi-threaded detection algorithms. In addition, the company offers Signature Mapping Tuberculosis Detection software, an automated hardware and software technology platform; and Signature Mapping Breast Cancer Detection, a breast cancer detection solution. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. markets its products through direct sales and indirect distribution channels worldwide. The company was formerly known as Guardian Technologies International, Inc. and changed its name to Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. in July 2010. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is based in Leesburg, Virginia.

About WESCO International

WESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). The EES segment supplies products and supply chain solutions, including electrical equipment and supplies, automation and connected devices, security, lighting, wire and cable, and safety, as well as maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. This segment also offers contractor solutions, direct and indirect manufacturing supply chain optimization programs, lighting and renewables advisory services, and digital and automation solutions. The CSS segment operates in the network infrastructure and security markets. This segment sells products directly to end-users or through various channels, including data communications contractors, security, network, professional audio/visual, and systems integrators. It also provides safety and energy management solutions. The UBS segment offers products and services to investor-owned utilities; public power companies; and service and wireless providers, broadband operators, and contractors. This segment's products include wire and cables, transformers, transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices, connectors, conduits, pole line hardware, racks, cabinets, safety and MRO products, and point-to-point wireless devices. This segment also offers various service solutions, including fiber project management, high and medium voltage project design and support, pre-wired meters and capacitor banks, meter testing and metering infrastructure installation, personal protective equipment dielectric testing, and tool repair, as well as emergency response, storage yard, materials, and logistics management. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.