908 Devices (NASDAQ:MASS) and Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT) Critical Contrast

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

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares 908 Devices and Crane NXT”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
908 Devices	$56.20 million	7.24	$19.49 million	($0.65)	-15.06
Crane NXT	$1.66 billion	1.98	$145.10 million	$2.21	25.77

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

Risk & Volatility

908 Devices has a beta of 0.66, suggesting that its share price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Crane NXT has a beta of 1.03, suggesting that its share price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

88.1% of 908 Devices shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.5% of Crane NXT shares are held by institutional investors. 28.2% of 908 Devices shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Crane NXT shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares 908 Devices and Crane NXT’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
908 Devices	-36.87%	-11.44%	-8.20%
Crane NXT	6.91%	19.55%	7.09%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for 908 Devices and Crane NXT, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
908 Devices	1	0	3	0	2.50
Crane NXT	0	2	5	1	2.88

908 Devices currently has a consensus price target of $13.67, indicating a potential upside of 39.60%. Crane NXT has a consensus price target of $66.83, indicating a potential upside of 17.36%. Given 908 Devices’ higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe 908 Devices is more favorable than Crane NXT.

Summary

Crane NXT beats 908 Devices on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About 908 Devices

908 Devices, Inc. develops analytical instruments that help users identify and measure chemicals and biomolecules. Its products use mass spectrometry and related technologies to bring laboratory-style analysis to settings where rapid results are needed. The company’s portfolio includes handheld devices for detecting and identifying chemical substances, as well as laboratory instruments and tools used in areas such as biopharmaceutical research and protein analysis. Its customers include organizations in public safety, defense, forensics, industrial markets and life sciences.

About Crane NXT

Crane NXT is a global industrial technology company focused on authentication and automated payment technologies. It designs and manufactures products and systems used to protect, manage and authenticate currency, goods and transactions. Its offerings include banknote security features, currency-processing equipment and payment and merchandising technologies, such as cash and cashless payment systems for vending and other self-service applications. The company also provides authentication solutions that help governments and businesses identify counterfeit currency and products.