Contrasting Inogen (NASDAQ:INGN) & Lancer Orthodontics (OTCMKTS:LANZ)

Lancer Orthodontics (OTCMKTS:LANZ) and Inogen (NASDAQ:INGN) are both healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

89.9% of Inogen shares are owned by institutional investors. 24.3% of Lancer Orthodontics shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Inogen shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Lancer Orthodontics and Inogen’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Lancer Orthodontics	N/A	N/A	N/A
Inogen	-6.94%	-13.17%	-8.36%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Lancer Orthodontics and Inogen”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Lancer Orthodontics	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Inogen	$348.67 million	0.43	-$22.75 million	($0.90)	-6.22

Lancer Orthodontics has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Inogen.

Risk and Volatility

Lancer Orthodontics has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Inogen has a beta of 1.55, indicating that its stock price is 55% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Lancer Orthodontics and Inogen, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Lancer Orthodontics	0	0	0	0	0.00
Inogen	1	0	0	1	2.50

Summary

Inogen beats Lancer Orthodontics on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lancer Orthodontics

Lancer Orthodontics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets orthodontic products for orthodontists and dentists worldwide. It offers aesthetic brackets, brackets and buccal tubes, bands, adhesives, wires, elastomerics, intraoral and extraoral appliances, instruments, and miscellaneous products. The company was founded in 1967 and is based in Vista, California.

About Inogen

Inogen, Inc., a medical technology company, develops, manufactures, and markets portable oxygen concentrators to patients, physicians and other clinicians, and third-party payors in the United States and internationally. Its oxygen concentrators are used to deliver supplemental long-term oxygen therapy to patients suffering from chronic respiratory conditions. The company offers Inogen One, a portable device that concentrate the air around the patient to provide a source of supplemental oxygen; Inogen At Home stationary oxygen concentrators; Simeox airway clearance; batteries; and related accessories. It also rents its products directly to patients. Inogen, Inc. was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Goleta, California.