SeaStar Medical (NASDAQ:ICU) versus Zicix (OTCMKTS:ZICXD) Critical Review

Zicix (OTCMKTS:ZICXD) and SeaStar Medical (NASDAQ:ICU) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Zicix and SeaStar Medical’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Zicix	N/A	N/A	N/A
SeaStar Medical	-1,551.08%	-414.50%	-151.13%

Risk and Volatility

Zicix has a beta of 0.53, suggesting that its stock price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SeaStar Medical has a beta of -1.04, suggesting that its stock price is 204% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

1.7% of SeaStar Medical shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of SeaStar Medical shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Zicix and SeaStar Medical”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Zicix	N/A	N/A	N/A	($100.14)	0.00
SeaStar Medical	$140,000.00	60.37	-$24.83 million	($16.50)	-0.14

Zicix has higher earnings, but lower revenue than SeaStar Medical. SeaStar Medical is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Zicix, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Zicix and SeaStar Medical, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Zicix	0	0	0	0	0.00
SeaStar Medical	1	0	0	0	1.00

SeaStar Medical has a consensus target price of $6.00, indicating a potential upside of 169.06%. Given SeaStar Medical’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe SeaStar Medical is more favorable than Zicix.

Summary

SeaStar Medical beats Zicix on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Zicix

Zicix Corporation, through its subsidiary, Texas Mobile Health, Inc., provides diagnostic medical imaging services in Houston, Texas. It offers cardiac diagnostic services, including echocardiogram, stress testing, carotid ultrasound, and halter and event monitoring services; medical services, such as general medical care, medical care for home health patients, general and immigration physicals, weight reduction, cold laser pain relief treatment, physical therapy, and anti-aging treatment; and MRI, CT, and X-Ray services. The company was formerly known as Bederra Corporation and changed its name to Zicix Corporation on February 8, 2011. Zicix Corporation was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas.

About SeaStar Medical

SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation, a medical device company, develops a platform therapy to reduce the consequences of hyperinflammation on vital organs in the United States. The company offers inflammatory response to fend off infections and repair damaged tissue in the body. It is also developing products in various therapeutic areas, including pediatric and adult acute kidney injury on CRRT; cardiorenal syndrome in congestive heart failure; myocardial stunning in end stage renal disease; and hepatorenal syndrome. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.