Lifevantage (NASDAQ:LFVN) versus Nanophase Technologies (OTCMKTS:NANX) Head-To-Head Survey

Nanophase Technologies (OTCMKTS:NANX) and Lifevantage (NASDAQ:LFVN) are both small-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

70.2% of Nanophase Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 35.3% of Lifevantage shares are held by institutional investors. 5.1% of Nanophase Technologies shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 22.0% of Lifevantage shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Nanophase Technologies and Lifevantage’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Nanophase Technologies	5.59%	31.49%	6.67%
Lifevantage	2.94%	23.89%	12.47%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Nanophase Technologies and Lifevantage, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Nanophase Technologies	0	0	0	0	0.00
Lifevantage	0	2	0	0	2.00

Lifevantage has a consensus price target of $5.00, suggesting a potential downside of 24.53%. Given Nanophase Technologies’ higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Nanophase Technologies is more favorable than Lifevantage.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Nanophase Technologies and Lifevantage”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Nanophase Technologies	$37.30 million	0.00	-$4.39 million	$0.05	N/A
Lifevantage	$195.32 million	0.43	$9.81 million	$0.45	14.72

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

Risk & Volatility

Nanophase Technologies has a beta of 1.22, meaning that its share price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lifevantage has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500.

About Nanophase Technologies

Nanophase Technologies Corporation, a science-driven company, develops, manufactures, and sells integrated family of nanomaterial technologies in the United States. It engages in engineered materials, formulation development, and commercial manufacturing. The company produces engineered nanomaterial products comprising antimony, bismuth, cerium, iron, and zinc oxide for use in a various markets, including surface finishing,exterior coatings, personal care, plastics, scratch resistant coatings, and textiles. It also provides skin care formulations with mineral-based UV protection under the under the Solésence brand; and advanced material products, including architectural coatings, industrial coatings, abrasion-resistant additives, plastics additives, medical diagnostics, and surface finishing technologies applications. The company was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Romeoville, Illinois.

About Lifevantage

LifeVantage Corporation engages in the identification, research, development, formulation, and sale of advanced nutrigenomic activators, dietary supplements, nootropics, pre- and pro-biotics, weight management, skin and hair care, bath and body, and targeted relief products. It offers Protandim, a dietary supplement; LifeVantage Omega+, a dietary supplement that combines DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-7 fatty acids, and vitamin D3; LifeVantage ProBio, a dietary supplement to support gut health; PhysIQ, a weight management system; LifeVantage IC Bright, a supplement to support eye and brain health, reduce eye fatigue and strain, supports cognitive functions, and support normal sleep patterns; Petandim for Dogs, a supplement to combat oxidative stress in dogs; and Axio, a nootropic energy drink mix. The company also provides anti-aging skin care products, including liquid collagen, facial cleansers, perfecting lotions, eye serums, anti-aging creams, hand creams, beauty serum, as well as hair care products, such as invigorating shampoos, nourishing conditioners, and scalp serums under the LifeVantage TrueScience brand name. In addition, it offers bath and body, and targeted relief products, such as body lotion, body wash, body butter, deodorant, soothing balm, and body rub under the TrueScience brand name. It sells its products through its website and network of independent distributors in the United States, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Austria, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.