Head to Head Contrast: EnQuest (OTCMKTS:ENQUF) and Vaalco Energy (NYSE:EGY)

EnQuest (OTCMKTS:ENQUF) and Vaalco Energy (NYSE:EGY) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, dividends, risk and earnings.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

50.3% of Vaalco Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Vaalco Energy shares are held 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.

Volatility and Risk

EnQuest has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vaalco Energy has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares EnQuest and Vaalco Energy”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
EnQuest	$1.18 billion	0.25	$93.77 million	N/A	N/A
Vaalco Energy	$478.99 million	0.84	$58.49 million	$0.36	10.78

EnQuest has higher revenue and earnings than Vaalco Energy.

Profitability

This table compares EnQuest and Vaalco Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
EnQuest	N/A	N/A	N/A
Vaalco Energy	8.26%	4.64%	2.48%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for EnQuest and Vaalco Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
EnQuest	0	0	0	0	0.00
Vaalco Energy	0	1	0	0	2.00

Summary

Vaalco Energy beats EnQuest on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About EnQuest

EnQuest PLC operates as an oil and gas production and development company, explores, extracts, and produces hydrocarbons in the United Kingdom, North Sea, and Malaysia. It primarily holds interests in the Magnus, Kraken, Golden Eagle, Scolty/Crathes, Greater Kittiwake Area, and Alba; and PM8/Seligi projects. In addition, the company is involved in the construction, ownership, and operation of an oil pipeline; and marketing and trading of crude oil, as well as in leasing activities. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

About Vaalco Energy

VAALCO Energy, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Gabon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, and Canada. The company holds 58.8% interest in the Etame production sharing contract related to the Etame Marin block covering an area of approximately 46,200 gross acres located offshore in the Republic of Gabon in West Africa. It also owns 100% interest in the Eastern Desert, which contains West Gharib, West Bakr and North West Gharib merged concessions covering as area of approximately 45,067 acres, as well as Western Desert, which contains the South Ghazalat concession covering as area of approximately 7,340 acres located in Egypt. In addition, the company production and working interests in Cardium light oil and Mannville liquids-rich gas assets covering as area of 47,400 gross acres located near the north of Calgary, Alberta; and an undeveloped block offshore Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. VAALCO Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.