Openlane (NYSE:OPLN – Get Free Report) and Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ:CWST – Get Free Report) are both mid-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and earnings.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Openlane and Casella Waste Systems”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Openlane | $1.93 billion | 2.45 | $177.70 million | ($0.85) | -45.48 |
| Casella Waste Systems | $1.84 billion | 3.13 | $7.87 million | $0.09 | 1,003.44 |
Openlane has higher revenue and earnings than Casella Waste Systems. Openlane is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Casella Waste Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
99.8% of Openlane shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.5% of Casella Waste Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 2.2% of Openlane shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of Casella Waste Systems 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.
Volatility and Risk
Openlane has a beta of 1.28, suggesting that its share price is 28% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Casella Waste Systems has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its share price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Openlane and Casella Waste Systems, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Openlane | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2.57 |
| Casella Waste Systems | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2.56 |
Openlane currently has a consensus target price of $43.83, suggesting a potential upside of 13.38%. Casella Waste Systems has a consensus target price of $105.83, suggesting a potential upside of 17.19%. Given Casella Waste Systems’ higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Casella Waste Systems is more favorable than Openlane.
Profitability
This table compares Openlane and Casella Waste Systems’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Openlane | 9.67% | 12.81% | 3.62% |
| Casella Waste Systems | 0.29% | 5.32% | 2.49% |
Summary
Openlane beats Casella Waste Systems on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Openlane
OPENLANE Inc. provides sellers and buyers across the wholesale used vehicle industry with technology-driven remarketing solutions. The company’s end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services. OPENLANE Inc., formerly known as KAR Auction Services Inc., is based in CARMEL, Ind.
About Casella Waste Systems
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a vertically integrated solid waste services company in the United States. It offers resource management services primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling, and organics services to residential, commercial, municipal, institutional, and industrial customers. The company provides non-hazardous solid waste services, including collections, transfer stations, recycling, and disposal operations. In addition, it markets materials, including fibers, corrugated cardboard, newsprint, plastics, glass, ferrous, and aluminum metals. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont.
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