Sono-Tek (NASDAQ:SOTK – Get Free Report) and Quantum-Si (NASDAQ:QSI – Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and earnings.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
47.9% of Sono-Tek shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 39.9% of Quantum-Si shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.5% of Sono-Tek shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 22.0% of Quantum-Si shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Sono-Tek and Quantum-Si, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Sono-Tek | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.50 |
| Quantum-Si | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 |
Volatility and Risk
Sono-Tek has a beta of -0.05, suggesting that its stock price is 105% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Quantum-Si has a beta of 3.2, suggesting that its stock price is 220% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Sono-Tek and Quantum-Si’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Sono-Tek | 8.64% | 9.52% | 7.45% |
| Quantum-Si | -5,605.88% | -47.35% | -42.66% |
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Sono-Tek and Quantum-Si”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Sono-Tek | $20.91 million | 3.91 | $1.81 million | $0.11 | 47.27 |
| Quantum-Si | $1.85 million | 109.40 | -$101.34 million | ($0.51) | -1.82 |
Sono-Tek has higher revenue and earnings than Quantum-Si. Quantum-Si is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sono-Tek, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Sono-Tek beats Quantum-Si on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Sono-Tek
Sono-Tek Corporation designs and manufactures ultrasonic coating systems for applying on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical, industrial, and research and development/other markets worldwide. The company also designs and manufactures custom-engineered ultrasonic coating systems; and provides nozzles and generators for manufacturers' equipment. Its products include integrated multi-axis coating systems, integrated coating systems, fluxing systems, OEM systems, and other related systems. In addition, the company provides surface coating solutions and application consulting services. It markets and distributes its products through direct sales personnel, select independent distributors, and sales representatives. The company was incorporated in 1975 and is based in Milton, New York.
About Quantum-Si
Quantum-Si incorporated, a life sciences company, engages in the development of single-molecule detection platform to enable Next Generation Protein Sequencing (NGPS). The company's platform is comprised of the Platinum NGPS instrument; the Platinum Analysis Software service; and reagent kits and semiconductor chips for use with its instruments. It is used in protein identification, protein variants, antibody characterization, biomarker identification, and post translational modification analysis applications. The company was founded in 2013 is headquartered in Branford, Connecticut.
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