Head to Head Analysis: Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) vs. Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR)

Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) and Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Hayward and Research Frontiers”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Hayward	$1.12 billion	3.04	$151.57 million	$0.73	21.55
Research Frontiers	$1.12 million	19.37	-$2.05 million	($0.07)	-8.89

Hayward has higher revenue and earnings than Research Frontiers. Research Frontiers is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hayward, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

11.9% of Research Frontiers shares are held by institutional investors. 4.7% of Hayward shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.5% of Research Frontiers shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Hayward has a beta of 1.12, indicating that its share price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Research Frontiers has a beta of 0.48, indicating that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for Hayward and Research Frontiers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Hayward	0	3	2	0	2.40
Research Frontiers	1	0	0	0	1.00

Hayward currently has a consensus price target of $17.50, indicating a potential upside of 11.25%. Given Hayward’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Hayward is more favorable than Research Frontiers.

Profitability

This table compares Hayward and Research Frontiers’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Hayward	13.98%	11.45%	5.77%
Research Frontiers	-343.47%	-159.20%	-84.93%

Summary

Hayward beats Research Frontiers on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Hayward

Hayward Holdings, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of pool equipment and associated automation systems in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers pool equipment, including pumps, filters, robotics, suction and pressure cleaners, gas heaters and heat pumps, water features and landscape lighting, water sanitizers, salt chlorine generators, safety equipment, and in-floor automated cleaning systems, as well as LED illumination solutions. It sells its products through specialty distributors, retailers, and buying groups. The company was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About Research Frontiers

Research Frontiers Incorporated engages in the development and marketing of technology and devices to control the flow of light worldwide. It develops and licenses suspended particle device (SPD-Smart) light-control technology to companies that manufacture and market the SPD-Smart chemical emulsion, light-control film made from the chemical emulsion, the light-control panels made by laminating the film, and electronics to power end-products incorporating the film, as well as lamination services for and the end-products, such as windows, skylights, and sunroofs. The company's SPD-Smart light-control technology is used in various product applications, including windows, sunshades, skylights, and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive windows, sunroofs, sun-visors, sunshades, rear-view mirrors, instrument panels, and navigation systems; aircraft windows; museum display panels, and eyewear products; and flat panel displays for electronic products. It serves architectural, automotive, marine, and aerospace and appliance applications. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Woodbury, New York.