Ascent Industries (NASDAQ:ACNT – Get Free Report) and Northern Technologies International (NASDAQ:NTIC – Get Free Report) are both small-cap materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
26.1% of Ascent Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.9% of Northern Technologies International shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.5% of Ascent Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 24.9% of Northern Technologies International shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Ascent Industries and Northern Technologies International, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Ascent Industries | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Northern Technologies International | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 |
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Ascent Industries and Northern Technologies International”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Ascent Industries | $74.94 million | 1.67 | $870,000.00 | ($0.45) | -30.83 |
| Northern Technologies International | $84.24 million | 0.86 | $20,000.00 | ($0.12) | -63.92 |
Ascent Industries has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Northern Technologies International. Northern Technologies International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ascent Industries, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Volatility & Risk
Ascent Industries has a beta of 0.48, indicating that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Northern Technologies International has a beta of 0.15, indicating that its share price is 85% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Ascent Industries and Northern Technologies International’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Ascent Industries | -5.31% | -2.72% | -2.07% |
| Northern Technologies International | -1.26% | -0.45% | -0.33% |
Summary
Northern Technologies International beats Ascent Industries on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Ascent Industries
Ascent Industries Co. an industrials company, produces and distributes stainless steel pipe and tube and specialty chemicals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Tubular Products and Specialty Chemicals. It manufactures welded pipes and tubes, primarily from stainless steel, duplex, and nickel alloys; and ornamental stainless steel tubes for automotive, commercial transportation, marine, food services, construction, furniture, healthcare, and other industries. The company also produces defoamers, surfactants, and lubricating agents for end users, including companies that supply agrochemical paper, metal working, coatings, water treatment, paint, mining, oil and gas, and janitorial and other applications. In addition, it provides contract manufacturing services, as well as operates as a multi-purpose plant to process various difficult to handle materials, including flammable solvents, viscous liquids, and granular solids. The company was formerly known as Synalloy Corporation and changed its name to Ascent Industries Co. in August 2022. Ascent Industries Co. was founded in 1945 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.
About Northern Technologies International
Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets rust and corrosion inhibiting solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and internationally. It offers rust and corrosion inhibiting products, such as plastic and paper packaging, liquids, coatings, rust removers, cleaners, diffusers, and engineered solutions designed for the oil and gas industry under the ZERUST brand. The company provides a portfolio of bio-based and certified compostable polymer resin compounds and finished products under the Natur-Tec brand. In addition, it offers on-site and technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. It sells its products and services to automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military, retail consumer, and oil and gas markets through direct sales force, network of independent distributors, agents, manufacturer's sales representatives, and strategic partners. The company was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Circle Pines, Minnesota.
Receive News & Ratings for Ascent Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ascent Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
