Astronics (OTCMKTS:ATROB) & Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) Critical Contrast

Astronics (OTCMKTS:ATROB) and Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) are both mid-cap aerospace companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Astronics and Astronics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Astronics	-0.37%	29.65%	10.15%
Astronics	-0.37%	29.65%	10.15%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Astronics and Astronics, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Astronics	0	0	0	0	0.00
Astronics	1	1	3	1	2.67

Astronics has a consensus price target of $66.67, suggesting a potential downside of 11.99%. Given Astronics’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Astronics is more favorable than Astronics.

Risk & Volatility

Astronics has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Astronics has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

56.7% of Astronics shares are held by institutional investors. 16.0% of Astronics shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 9.4% of Astronics shares are held 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.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Astronics and Astronics”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Astronics	$795.43 million	3.44	-$16.22 million	($0.09)	-854.22
Astronics	$795.43 million	3.39	-$16.22 million	($0.09)	-841.67

Astronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Astronics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Astronics beats Astronics on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Astronics

Astronics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures products for the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries in the United States, rest of North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Aerospace and Test Systems. The Aerospace segment offers lighting and safety systems, electrical power generation systems, distribution and seat motions systems, aircraft structures, avionics products, system certification, and other products. This segment serves airframe manufacturers (OEM) that build aircraft for the commercial, military, and general aviation markets; suppliers to OEMs; and aircraft operators, such as airlines; suppliers to the aircraft operators; and branches of the U.S. Department of Defense. The Test Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, and maintains automated test systems that support the aerospace and defense, and mass transit industries, as well as training and simulation devices for commercial and military applications. It serves OEMs and prime government contractors for electronics and military products. Astronics Corporation was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York.

About Astronics

Astronics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures products for the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries in the United States, rest of North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Aerospace and Test Systems. The Aerospace segment offers lighting and safety systems, electrical power generation systems, distribution and seat motions systems, aircraft structures, avionics products, system certification, and other products. This segment serves airframe manufacturers (OEM) that build aircraft for the commercial, military, and general aviation markets; suppliers to OEMs; and aircraft operators, such as airlines; suppliers to the aircraft operators; and branches of the U.S. Department of Defense. The Test Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, and maintains automated test systems that support the aerospace and defense, and mass transit industries, as well as training and simulation devices for commercial and military applications. It serves OEMs and prime government contractors for electronics and military products. Astronics Corporation was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York.