Aqua Metals (NASDAQ:AQMS – Get Free Report) and Republic Services (NYSE:RSG – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.
Profitability
This table compares Aqua Metals and Republic Services’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Aqua Metals | N/A | -145.58% | -106.72% |
| Republic Services | 12.94% | 18.69% | 6.49% |
Institutional and Insider Ownership
22.0% of Aqua Metals shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 57.7% of Republic Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.1% of Aqua Metals shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Republic Services shares are owned 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.
Earnings & Valuation
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Aqua Metals | $30,000.00 | 274.12 | -$22.65 million | ($4.72) | -0.49 |
| Republic Services | $16.89 billion | 4.04 | $2.14 billion | $7.06 | 31.58 |
Republic Services has higher revenue and earnings than Aqua Metals. Aqua Metals is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Republic Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Aqua Metals and Republic Services, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Aqua Metals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Republic Services | 0 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2.55 |
Aqua Metals currently has a consensus target price of $5.00, indicating a potential upside of 116.45%. Republic Services has a consensus target price of $245.26, indicating a potential upside of 10.00%. Given Aqua Metals’ higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Aqua Metals is more favorable than Republic Services.
Volatility & Risk
Aqua Metals has a beta of 0.33, meaning that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Republic Services has a beta of 0.4, meaning that its stock price is 60% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
Republic Services beats Aqua Metals on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Aqua Metals
Aqua Metals, Inc. engages in reinventing metals recycling activities with its patented AquaRefining technology. The company's technology produces metals and alloys that can be returned into the battery manufacturing supply chain markets, as well as sells metals for use in various advanced manufacturing industries. Its AquaRefining, a low-emissions and recycling technology that replaces polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries. Aqua Metals, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions. Its residential collection services include curbside collection of material for transport to transfer stations, landfills, recycling centers, and organics processing facilities; supply of recycling and waste containers; and renting of compactors. The company also engages in the processing and sale of old corrugated containers, old newsprint, aluminum, glass, and other materials; and provision of landfill services. It serves small-container, large-container, and residential customers. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Receive News & Ratings for Aqua Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aqua Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
