Reviewing LG Display (NYSE:LPL) & TransAct Technologies (NASDAQ:TACT)

LG Display (NYSE:LPL) and TransAct Technologies (NASDAQ:TACT) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership and earnings.

Volatility & Risk

LG Display has a beta of 1.49, suggesting that its share price is 49% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, TransAct Technologies has a beta of 1.09, suggesting that its share price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares LG Display and TransAct Technologies”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
LG Display	$19.51 billion	0.28	-$1.79 billion	($0.42)	-13.00
TransAct Technologies	$47.95 million	1.19	-$9.86 million	($0.86)	-6.57

TransAct Technologies has lower revenue, but higher earnings than LG Display. LG Display is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than TransAct Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for LG Display and TransAct Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
LG Display	2	4	0	0	1.67
TransAct Technologies	1	0	2	0	2.33

TransAct Technologies has a consensus target price of $5.00, suggesting a potential downside of 11.50%. Given TransAct Technologies’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe TransAct Technologies is more favorable than LG Display.

Profitability

This table compares LG Display and TransAct Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
LG Display	-2.25%	-7.60%	-1.92%
TransAct Technologies	-18.00%	-4.02%	-2.88%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

74.5% of TransAct Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of LG Display shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 16.5% of TransAct Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

TransAct Technologies beats LG Display on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About LG Display

LG Display Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology-based display panels. Its TFT-LCD and OLED technology-based display panels are primarily used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablet computers, mobile devices, and automotive displays. The company also provides display panels for industrial and other applications, including entertainment systems, portable navigation devices, and medical diagnostic equipment. In addition, it provides janitorial services; invests in venture business and acquire technologies; and manages intellectual property. The company operates in Korea, China, rest of Asia, the Americas, Poland, and rest of Europe. LG Display Co., Ltd. was formerly known as LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd. and changed its name to LG Display Co., Ltd. in March 2008. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

About TransAct Technologies

TransAct Technologies Incorporated designs, develops, and markets transaction-based and specialty printers and terminals in the United States and internationally. It offers thermal printers and terminals to generate labels, coupons, and transaction records, such as receipts, tickets, and other documents. The company also provides consumable products, including POS receipt paper, inkjet cartridges, ribbons, and other printing supplies, as well as replacement parts and accessories; and maintenance and repair services. In addition, it offers EPICENTRAL print system, a software solution that enables casino operators to create promotional coupons and marketing messages, and print them at the slot machine; and technical support services, as well as spare parts and accessories. Further, the company provides BOHA! terminal that combines hardware and software components in a device that includes an operating system, touchscreen, and one or two thermal print mechanisms. It markets its products under the TransAct, BOHA!, AccuDate, Ithaca, and EPICENTRAL brands for food service technology, point of sale automation, and casino and gaming markets. The company sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, value-added resellers, and distributors, as well as directly to end-users through its Webstore transactsupplies.com. TransAct Technologies Incorporated was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Hamden, Connecticut.