Contrasting IRIDEX (NASDAQ:IRIX) and Dynasil Corporation of America (OTCMKTS:DYSL)

IRIDEX (NASDAQ:IRIX) and Dynasil Corporation of America (OTCMKTS:DYSL) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, risk and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for IRIDEX and Dynasil Corporation of America, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
IRIDEX	1	0	0	0	1.00
Dynasil Corporation of America	0	0	0	0	0.00

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares IRIDEX and Dynasil Corporation of America”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
IRIDEX	$48.67 million	0.38	-$8.91 million	($0.33)	-3.33
Dynasil Corporation of America	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Dynasil Corporation of America has lower revenue, but higher earnings than IRIDEX.

Volatility & Risk

IRIDEX has a beta of 0.59, meaning that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Dynasil Corporation of America has a beta of -0.22, meaning that its stock price is 122% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares IRIDEX and Dynasil Corporation of America’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
IRIDEX	-10.95%	-386.93%	-17.42%
Dynasil Corporation of America	N/A	N/A	N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

20.1% of IRIDEX shares are held by institutional investors. 7.4% of IRIDEX shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 37.9% of Dynasil Corporation of America 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.

About IRIDEX

IRIDEX Corporation, an ophthalmic medical technology company, provides therapeutic based laser systems, delivery devices, and consumable instrumentation to treat sight-threatening eye diseases in ophthalmology. It offers laser consoles, such as Cyclo G6 laser system for use in the treatment of glaucoma; IQ 532 and IQ 577 laser systems, which are used for the treatment of retinal disorders; and OcuLight TX, OcuLight SL, OcuLight SLx, OcuLight GL, and OcuLight GLx laser photocoagulation systems that are used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, retinal tears, and detachments. The company also provides delivery devices, including TxCell scanning laser delivery system that allows the physician to perform multi-spot pattern scanning; slit lamp adapter, which allows the physician to utilize a standard slit lamp in diagnosis and treatment procedures; and laser indirect ophthalmoscope for use in procedures to treat peripheral retinal disorders. It offers MicroPulse P3 Probe, which is used with its Cylco G6 laser system to perform MicroPulse transscleral laser therapy; G-Probe, which is used in procedures to treat uncontrolled glaucoma; G-Probe and G-Probe Illuminate, which are used in procedures to treat refractory glaucoma; and EndoProbe family of products for use in vitrectomy procedures. The company serves ophthalmologists, research and teaching hospitals, government installations, surgical centers, hospitals, veterinary practices, and office clinics. It markets its products through direct and independent sales force in the United States, as well as through independent distributors internationally. The company was formerly known as IRIS Medical Instruments, Inc. and changed its name to IRIDEX Corporation in November 1995. IRIDEX Corporation was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

About Dynasil Corporation of America

Dynasil Corporation of America develops, markets, manufactures, and sells detection, sensing, and analysis technology and optical components in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Optics, Innovation and Development, and Biomedical segments. The Optics segment supplies synthetic crystals, optical materials, components, and coatings that are used in devices, such as baggage scanners, medical imaging systems, optical instruments, lasers, analytical instruments, automotive components, semiconductor/electronic devices, spacecraft/aircraft components, and advertising displays in the medical, industrial, and homeland security/defense sectors. The Innovation and Development segment develops advanced technology in materials, sensors, and prototype instruments that detect or measure radiation, light, magnetism, or sound for use in security, medical, and industrial applications. The Biomedical segment engages in the development of tissue sealant products. The company distributes its products through direct sales and marketing staff, as well as through manufacturer's representatives and distributors. Dynasil Corporation of America was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.