Analyzing GeoPetro Resources (OTCMKTS:GEOR) and Golar LNG (NASDAQ:GLNG)

GeoPetro Resources (OTCMKTS:GEOR) and Golar LNG (NASDAQ:GLNG) are both energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for GeoPetro Resources and Golar LNG, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
GeoPetro Resources	0	0	0	0	0.00
Golar LNG	0	0	5	2	3.29

Golar LNG has a consensus price target of $50.88, indicating a potential upside of 22.15%. Given Golar LNG’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Golar LNG is more favorable than GeoPetro Resources.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

92.2% of Golar LNG shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.6% of GeoPetro Resources shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Golar LNG shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares GeoPetro Resources and Golar LNG’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
GeoPetro Resources	N/A	N/A	N/A
Golar LNG	1.04%	6.82%	3.98%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares GeoPetro Resources and Golar LNG”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
GeoPetro Resources	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Golar LNG	$260.37 million	16.72	$50.84 million	$0.03	1,388.33

Golar LNG has higher revenue and earnings than GeoPetro Resources.

Summary

Golar LNG beats GeoPetro Resources on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About GeoPetro Resources

GeoPetro Resources Co. is an independent oil and natural gas company, which engages in exploration, development, drilling and production of oil and gas properties. It holds interest in Madisonville, Lokern and Cook Inlet projects. The company was founded by Stuart J. Doshi in August 1994 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

About Golar LNG

Golar LNG Limited designs, converts, owns, and operates marine infrastructure for the liquefaction of natural gas. The company operates through three segments: FLNG, Corporate and Other, and Shipping. It engages in the regasification, storage, and offloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG); operation of floating liquefaction natural gas (FLNG) vessels or projects; transportation of LNG carriers; and vessel management activities. Golar LNG Limited was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.