Tetra Tech (NASDAQ:TTEK) & Universal Detection Technology (OTCMKTS:UNDT) Head to Head Contrast

Tetra Tech (NASDAQ:TTEK) and Universal Detection Technology (OTCMKTS:UNDT) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings and profitability.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

93.9% of Tetra Tech shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Tetra Tech shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.6% of Universal Detection Technology shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Tetra Tech and Universal Detection Technology, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Tetra Tech	0	3	4	0	2.57
Universal Detection Technology	0	0	0	0	0.00

Tetra Tech currently has a consensus price target of $42.60, suggesting a potential upside of 17.29%. Given Tetra Tech’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Tetra Tech is more favorable than Universal Detection Technology.

Profitability

This table compares Tetra Tech and Universal Detection Technology’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Tetra Tech	6.73%	23.84%	9.69%
Universal Detection Technology	N/A	N/A	N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Tetra Tech and Universal Detection Technology”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Tetra Tech	$5.23 billion	1.81	$247.72 million	$1.33	27.31
Universal Detection Technology	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Tetra Tech has higher revenue and earnings than Universal Detection Technology.

Summary

Tetra Tech beats Universal Detection Technology on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech, Inc. provides consulting and engineering services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Government Services Group (GSG) and Commercial/International Services Group (CIG). The GSG segment offers early data collection and monitoring, data analysis and information management, science and engineering applied research, engineering design, project management, and operations and maintenance services; and climate change and energy management consulting, as well as greenhouse gas inventory assessment, certification, reduction, and management services. This segment serves federal, state, and local governments; and development agencies in water resources analysis and water management, environmental monitoring, data analytics, government consulting, waste management, and a range of civil infrastructure master planning and engineering design markets. The CIG segment provides early data collection and monitoring, data analysis and information management, feasibility studies and assessments, science and engineering applied research, engineering design, project management, and operations and maintenance services; and environmental remediation and reconstruction services, and industrial water treatment services. This segment serves natural resources, energy, and utilities markets, as well as sustainable infrastructure master planning and engineering design for facilities, transportation, and local development projects. Tetra Tech, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.

About Universal Detection Technology

Universal Detection Technology engages in the research, development, marketing, and resale of detection devices for detecting chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats in the United States, Europe, and Asia. It supplies bioterrorism detection kits capable of detecting anthrax, ricin, botulinum, plague, and SEBs; mold detection kits; chemical detection equipment; and radiation detection systems. The company also provides various counter-terrorism services, such as training courses for first responders; event security; threat evaluation and consulting; and DVDs aimed at providing information and training regarding combating terrorism and managing emergency situations. It serves first responders, as well as bioterror and military defense markets. The company markets and sells its products through in-house staff and outside consultants, as well as through the Internet. The company was formerly known as Pollution Research and Control Corporation and changed its name to Universal Detection Technology in August 2003. Universal Detection Technology was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California.