Comparing MariMed (OTCMKTS:MRMD) & LENSAR (NASDAQ:LNSR)

LENSAR (NASDAQ:LNSR) and MariMed (OTCMKTS:MRMD) are both small-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Volatility & Risk

LENSAR has a beta of 0.97, indicating that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MariMed has a beta of 1.35, indicating that its share price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares LENSAR and MariMed”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
LENSAR	$58.44 million	1.69	-$34.28 million	($0.33)	-24.39
MariMed	$159.83 million	0.20	-$14.48 million	($0.04)	-1.99

MariMed has higher revenue and earnings than LENSAR. LENSAR is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MariMed, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares LENSAR and MariMed’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
LENSAR	57.57%	-529.08%	50.03%
MariMed	-9.13%	-10.71%	-2.58%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

40.1% of LENSAR shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.2% of MariMed shares are held by institutional investors. 65.8% of LENSAR shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 17.3% of MariMed shares are held 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.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for LENSAR and MariMed, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
LENSAR	1	0	2	0	2.33
MariMed	0	2	0	0	2.00

LENSAR presently has a consensus price target of $11.50, indicating a potential upside of 42.86%. Given LENSAR’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe LENSAR is more favorable than MariMed.

Summary

LENSAR beats MariMed on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About LENSAR

LENSAR, Inc., a commercial-stage medical device company, focuses on designing, developing, and marketing a femtosecond laser system for the treatment of cataracts and the management of pre-existing or surgically induced corneal astigmatism. It offers LENSAR Laser System that incorporates a range of proprietary technologies designed to assist the surgeon in obtaining visual outcomes, efficiency, and reproducibility by providing imaging, procedure planning, design, and precision. The company also offers ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System, a platform design to femtosecond laser technology features that enhanced laser capabilities into a single small unit that allows surgeons to perform a femtosecond laser assisted cataract procedure in a single operating room. LENSAR, Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

About MariMed

MariMed Inc. engages in cultivation, production, and dispensing of medicinal and recreational cannabis in the United States and internationally. The company sells flowers and concentrates under the Nature’s Heritage brand; and soft and chewy baked goods and a hot chocolate mix under Bubby’s Baked brand; and drink mix under Vibations brand. It also offers chewable cannabis-infused mint tablet under the brand Kalm Fusion; and flower, vapes, and edibles under InHouse brand. In addition, the company provides supplement, nutrient-infused fruit chews under Betty’s Eddies brand and ice creams under Emack & Bolio’s brand. The company licenses its brands. MariMed Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Norwood, Massachusetts.