Head to Head Analysis: Lindblad Expeditions (NASDAQ:LIND) versus Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN)

Lindblad Expeditions (NASDAQ:LIND) and Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Lindblad Expeditions and Vail Resorts’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Lindblad Expeditions	-1.19%	N/A	-0.92%
Vail Resorts	9.81%	30.25%	5.13%

Risk and Volatility

Lindblad Expeditions has a beta of 2.63, suggesting that its stock price is 163% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vail Resorts has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its stock price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

75.9% of Lindblad Expeditions shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.9% of Vail Resorts shares are held by institutional investors. 34.0% of Lindblad Expeditions shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Vail Resorts shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Lindblad Expeditions and Vail Resorts”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Lindblad Expeditions	$644.73 million	1.10	-$31.18 million	($0.30)	-43.20
Vail Resorts	$2.89 billion	1.90	$230.40 million	$7.82	18.85

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

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Lindblad Expeditions and Vail Resorts, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Lindblad Expeditions	0	0	2	0	3.00
Vail Resorts	1	6	3	0	2.20

Lindblad Expeditions currently has a consensus price target of $17.00, suggesting a potential upside of 31.17%. Vail Resorts has a consensus price target of $183.60, suggesting a potential upside of 24.59%. Given Lindblad Expeditions’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Lindblad Expeditions is more favorable than Vail Resorts.

Summary

Vail Resorts beats Lindblad Expeditions on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. provides marine expedition adventures and travel experience worldwide. It operates through Lindblad and Land Experiences segment. Lindblad segment provides ship-based expeditions aboard customized, nimble, and intimately-scaled vessels, which offers up-close experiences in the planet's wild and remote places, and capitals of culture; and offers expedition ship which is equipped with state-of-the-art tools for in-depth exploration with infrastructure and ports, such as Antarctica and the Arctic, and places that accessed by a ship comprising Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Baja California's Sea of Cortez and Panama, and foster engagement activities. The Land Experiences segment comprises natural habitats, which provides over 100 different expedition itineraries in more than 45 countries across seven continents, with eco-conscious expeditions and nature-focused, and small-group tours including polar bear tours and bear adventure; and DuVine provides intimate group cycling and adventure tours around the world with local cycling experts as guides in local cultural, cuisine, and accommodations. This segment also offers off the beaten path including small group travel, led by local, and experienced guides with focus on wildlife, hiking national parks, and culture; and classical journey, a curated active small-group and private custom journeys centered around cinematic walks led by expert local guides over 50 countries across the world. In addition, it has an alliance with National Geographic Partners, LLC, which provides lecturers and National Geographic experts including photographers, marine biologists, writers, naturalists, field researchers, and film crews; and partnered with World Wildlife Fund to offer conservation travel. Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

About Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates mountain resorts and regional ski areas in the United States. It operates through three segments: Mountain, Lodging, and Real Estate. The Mountain segment operates 41 destination mountain resorts and regional ski areas. This segment is also involved in the ancillary activities, including ski school, dining, and retail/rental operations, as well as real estate brokerage activities. The Lodging segment owns and/or manages various luxury hotels and condominiums under the RockResorts brand; other lodging properties; various condominiums located in proximity to the company's mountain resorts; destination resorts; and golf courses, as well as offers resort ground transportation services. This segment operates owned and managed hotel and condominium units. The Real Estate segment owns, develops, and sells real estate properties. The company was founded in 1845 and is based in Broomfield, Colorado.