LightPath Technologies (NASDAQ:LPTH) & Axion Power International (OTCMKTS:AXPWQ) Critical Analysis

Axion Power International (OTCMKTS:AXPWQ) and LightPath Technologies (NASDAQ:LPTH) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and profitability.

Volatility & Risk

Axion Power International has a beta of -10.03, suggesting that its share price is 1,103% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LightPath Technologies has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

56.3% of LightPath Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Axion Power International shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 24.8% of LightPath Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Axion Power International and LightPath Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Axion Power International	0	0	0	0	0.00
LightPath Technologies	1	1	4	1	2.71

LightPath Technologies has a consensus price target of $12.10, indicating a potential upside of 0.83%. Given LightPath Technologies’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe LightPath Technologies is more favorable than Axion Power International.

Profitability

This table compares Axion Power International and LightPath Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Axion Power International	N/A	N/A	N/A
LightPath Technologies	-43.41%	-32.64%	-10.70%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Axion Power International and LightPath Technologies”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Axion Power International	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
LightPath Technologies	$37.20 million	18.62	-$14.87 million	($0.52)	-23.08

Axion Power International has higher earnings, but lower revenue than LightPath Technologies.

Summary

LightPath Technologies beats Axion Power International on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Axion Power International

Axion Power International, Inc. focuses on PbC battery technology business. It offers hybrid asymmetric energy storage devices. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Boardman, Ohio.

About LightPath Technologies

LightPath Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes optical components and assemblies. The company offers precision molded glass aspheric optics, molded and diamond-turned infrared aspheric lenses, and other optical components used to produce products that manipulate light; and infrared products, including catalog and custom infrared optics. Its products are used in defense products, medical devices, laser aided industrial tools, automotive safety applications, barcode scanners, optical data storage, hybrid fiber coax datacom, telecommunications, machine vision and sensors, and other sectors. The company sells its products directly to customers in Europe and Asia. LightPath Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.