Reviewing International Seaways (NYSE:INSW) & SEACOR Marine (NYSE:SMHI)

International Seaways (NYSE:INSW) and SEACOR Marine (NYSE:SMHI) are both small-cap transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.

Volatility and Risk

International Seaways has a beta of 0.05, suggesting that its share price is 95% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SEACOR Marine has a beta of 1.45, suggesting that its share price is 45% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares International Seaways and SEACOR Marine”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
International Seaways	$951.61 million	2.08	$416.72 million	$6.47	6.21
SEACOR Marine	$271.36 million	0.48	-$78.12 million	($2.35)	-2.05

International Seaways has higher revenue and earnings than SEACOR Marine. SEACOR Marine is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than International Seaways, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares International Seaways and SEACOR Marine’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
International Seaways	37.39%	14.98%	10.74%
SEACOR Marine	-25.40%	-13.47%	-5.63%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

67.3% of International Seaways shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 59.1% of SEACOR Marine shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of International Seaways shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 16.4% of SEACOR Marine shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for International Seaways and SEACOR Marine, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
International Seaways	0	1	1	1	3.00
SEACOR Marine	0	0	0	0	0.00

International Seaways presently has a consensus price target of $51.33, indicating a potential upside of 27.66%. Given International Seaways’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe International Seaways is more favorable than SEACOR Marine.

Summary

International Seaways beats SEACOR Marine on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About International Seaways

International Seaways, Inc. owns and operates a fleet of oceangoing vessels for the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the international flag trade. It operates in two segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned a fleet of 73 vessels. It serves independent and state-owned oil companies, oil traders, refinery operators, and international government entities. The company was formerly known as OSG International, Inc. and changed its name to International Seaways, Inc. in October 2016. International Seaways, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

About SEACOR Marine

SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. provides marine and support transportation services to offshore oil, natural gas, and windfarm facilities worldwide. Its offshore support and specialty vessels deliver cargo and personnel to offshore installations, including offshore wind farms; handle anchors and mooring equipment for offshore rigs and platforms; assist offshore operations for production and storage facilities; provide construction, well work-over, and offshore wind farm installation and decommissioning support; and carry and launch equipment used underwater in drilling and well installation, maintenance, inspection, and repair, as well as offer accommodations for technicians and specialists, safety support, and emergency response services. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a fleet of 58 support vessels, of which 55 were owned or leased-in, and three were managed on behalf of unaffiliated third parties. It serves integrated national and international oil companies, independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, and oil field service and construction companies, as well as offshore wind farm operators and offshore wind farm installation and maintenance companies. SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.