Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM – Get Free Report) and Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE – Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, earnings and profitability.
Risk & Volatility
Sociedad Quimica y Minera has a beta of 1.03, meaning that its share price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Green Plains has a beta of 1.18, meaning that its share price is 18% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Sociedad Quimica y Minera and Green Plains, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Sociedad Quimica y Minera | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2.50 |
| Green Plains | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
Profitability
This table compares Sociedad Quimica y Minera and Green Plains’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Sociedad Quimica y Minera | 13.45% | 11.71% | 5.35% |
| Green Plains | -6.34% | -13.65% | -6.72% |
Institutional & Insider Ownership
12.4% of Sociedad Quimica y Minera shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Green Plains shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Sociedad Quimica y Minera and Green Plains”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Sociedad Quimica y Minera | $4.53 billion | 2.80 | $685.12 million | $2.11 | 21.02 |
| Green Plains | $2.46 billion | 0.20 | -$82.50 million | ($2.40) | -3.18 |
Sociedad Quimica y Minera has higher revenue and earnings than Green Plains. Green Plains is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sociedad Quimica y Minera, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Sociedad Quimica y Minera beats Green Plains on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Sociedad Quimica y Minera
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. In addition, the company produces lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide which are used in the production of cathode material for secondary batteries; lithium chloride; and basic lithium chemicals and lithium derivatives used in lubricating greases for heat-resistant glass, chips for the ceramic and glazing industry, and air conditioning chemicals, as well as other pharmaceutical syntheses and metal alloys. Further, it produces potassium sulfate; and potassium chloride which is used as a fertilizer for the application of potassium to different crops. Additionally, the company produces and markets industrial chemicals, such as sodium nitrate mainly used in the production of glass and explosives, metal processing and recycling, and production of insulating materials and adhesives; potassium nitrate used as a raw material to produce frits and special glass, as well as in the enamel, metal treatment, and pyrotechnic sectors; solar salts used as a thermal storage medium in solar power generation plants; and potassium chloride as an additive in oil drilling and food processing sectors. Furthermore, it is involved in the commercialization of third-party fertilizers; and exploration of copper, gold, and silver deposits. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.
About Green Plains
Green Plains Inc. produces low-carbon fuels in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Ethanol Production, Agribusiness and Energy Services, and Partnership. The Ethanol Production segment produces ethanol, distillers grains, and ultra-high protein and renewable corn oil. The Agribusiness and Energy Services segment engages in the grain procurement, handling and storage, commodity marketing business; and trading of ethanol, distiller grains, renewable corn oil, grain, natural gas, and other commodities in various markets. This segment also provides grain drying and storage services to grain producers. The Partnership segment offers fuel storage and transportation services. It operates 24 ethanol storage facilities; two fuel terminal facilities; and a fleet of approximately 2,180 leased railcars. The company was formerly known as Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. and changed its name to Green Plains Inc. in May 2014. Green Plains Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
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