Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN – Get Free Report) and Flexible Solutions International (NYSE:FSI – Get Free Report) are both small-cap materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation, risk and dividends.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Aspen Aerogels and Flexible Solutions International”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Aspen Aerogels | $271.10 million | 1.51 | -$389.55 million | ($1.53) | -3.22 |
| Flexible Solutions International | $35.58 million | 2.08 | $2.78 million | ($0.24) | -24.17 |
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Aspen Aerogels and Flexible Solutions International, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Aspen Aerogels | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.29 |
| Flexible Solutions International | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.00 |
Aspen Aerogels currently has a consensus target price of $5.94, indicating a potential upside of 20.51%. Given Aspen Aerogels’ higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Aspen Aerogels is more favorable than Flexible Solutions International.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
97.6% of Aspen Aerogels shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.3% of Flexible Solutions International shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.0% of Aspen Aerogels shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 35.8% of Flexible Solutions International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Profitability
This table compares Aspen Aerogels and Flexible Solutions International’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Aspen Aerogels | -62.45% | -31.12% | -17.33% |
| Flexible Solutions International | 10.80% | 10.61% | 7.32% |
Risk & Volatility
Aspen Aerogels has a beta of 2.97, indicating that its share price is 197% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Flexible Solutions International has a beta of 1.7, indicating that its share price is 70% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
Flexible Solutions International beats Aspen Aerogels on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Aspen Aerogels
Aspen Aerogels, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aerogel insulation products primarily for use in the energy infrastructure and sustainable insulation materials markets in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. It operates in two segments, Energy Industrial and Thermal Barrier. The company offers PyroThin thermal barriers for use in lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage industries; Pyrogel XTE that reduces the risk of corrosion under insulation in energy infrastructure operating systems; and Pyrogel HPS for applications within the power generation market. It also offers Pyrogel XTF to provide protection against fire; Cryogel Z for sub-ambient and cryogenic applications in the energy infrastructure market; Spaceloft Subsea for use in pipe-in-pipe applications in offshore oil production; and Cryogel X201, which is used in designing cold systems, such as refrigerated appliances, cold storage equipment, and aerospace systems. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Northborough, Massachusetts.
About Flexible Solutions International
Flexible Solutions International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals that slow the evaporation of water in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Energy and Water Conservation Products, and Biodegradable Polymers. The company offers thermal polyaspartates (TPAs) for oilfields to reduce scale and corrosion in various water systems; and for the agricultural industry to reduce fertilizer crystallization before, during, and after application, as well as to prevent crystal formation between fertilizer and minerals present in the soil. It also provides TPAs for irrigation to prevent early plugging of drip irrigation ports, reduce maintenance costs, and lengthen the life of equipment; TPAs for cleaning products to prevents the re-deposition of dirt onto the surfaces; and TPAs as additives for household laundry detergents, consumer care products, and pesticides. In addition, the company offers nitrogen conservation products for agriculture that slow down nitrogen loss from fields. Further, it provides HEATSAVR, a chemical product for use in swimming pools and spas that forms a thin and transparent layer on the water's surface; and WATERSAVR to reduce water evaporation in reservoirs, potable water storage tanks, livestock watering ponds, aqueducts, canals, and irrigation ditches, as well as for lawn and turf care, and potted and bedding plants. The company was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Taber, Canada.
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