Comparing 908 Devices (NASDAQ:MASS) & IPG Photonics (NASDAQ:IPGP)

908 Devices (NASDAQ:MASS) and IPG Photonics (NASDAQ:IPGP) are both technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, risk, profitability and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares 908 Devices and IPG Photonics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
908 Devices	-56.96%	-12.54%	-8.87%
IPG Photonics	2.58%	3.39%	2.98%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

88.1% of 908 Devices shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.8% of IPG Photonics shares are owned by institutional investors. 28.2% of 908 Devices shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 37.5% of IPG Photonics shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares 908 Devices and IPG Photonics”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
908 Devices	$56.20 million	8.41	$19.49 million	($0.95)	-12.04
IPG Photonics	$1.00 billion	3.31	$31.10 million	$0.65	120.18

IPG Photonics has higher revenue and earnings than 908 Devices. 908 Devices is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than IPG Photonics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility & Risk

908 Devices has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, IPG Photonics has a beta of 0.98, suggesting that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for 908 Devices and IPG Photonics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
908 Devices	1	0	3	0	2.50
IPG Photonics	1	2	5	0	2.50

908 Devices currently has a consensus price target of $12.83, indicating a potential upside of 12.18%. IPG Photonics has a consensus price target of $142.60, indicating a potential upside of 82.54%. Given IPG Photonics’ higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe IPG Photonics is more favorable than 908 Devices.

Summary

IPG Photonics beats 908 Devices on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About 908 Devices

908 Devices Inc., a commercial-stage technology company, provides various purpose-built handheld and desktop mass spectrometry devices to interrogate unknown and invisible materials in life sciences research, bioprocessing, pharma/biopharma, forensics, and adjacent markets. The company's products include MX908, a handheld, battery-powered, and Mass Spec device that is designed for rapid analysis of solid, liquid, vapor, and aerosol materials of unknown identity; Rebel, a small desktop analyzer that provides real-time information on the extracellular environment in bioprocesses; and Maverick, an optical in-line analyzer that offers real-time monitoring and control of multiple bioprocess parameters, including glucose, lactate, and total biomass in mammalian cell cultures, as well as provides process fingerprint data to support large-scale efforts in predictive bioprocess modeling. Its products also comprise Maven and Trace C2, an online device for bioprocess monitoring and control; and ZipChip solution, a plug-and-play, high-resolution separation platform that optimizes Mass Spec sample analysis. The company operates in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and rest of the Americas. 908 Devices Inc. was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

About IPG Photonics

IPG Photonics Corporation develops, manufactures, and sells various high-performance fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, and diode lasers used in various applications primarily in materials processing worldwide. Its laser products include hybrid fiber-solid state lasers with green and ultraviolet wavelengths; fiber pigtailed packaged diodes and fiber coupled direct diode laser systems; high-energy pulsed lasers, multi-wavelength and tunable lasers, and single-polarization and single-frequency lasers; and high-power optical fiber delivery cables, fiber couplers, beam switches, chillers, scanners, and other accessories. The company also offers integrated laser systems; LightWELD, a handheld laser welding system; 2D compact flat sheet cutter systems and multi-axis systems for fine welding, cutting, and drilling; welding seam stepper and picker, a fiber laser welding tool; high precision laser systems; specialized fiber laser systems for material processing applications; robotic and multi-axis workstations for welding, cutting and cladding, flatbed cutting systems, and diode markers; and laser and non-laser robotic welding and automation solutions. It serves materials processing, communications, medical procedures, and advanced applications and communications markets. The company markets its products to original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and end users through direct sales force, as well as through agreements with independent sales representatives and distributors. IPG Photonics Corporation was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.