Contrasting Viasat (NASDAQ:VSAT) and Sonim Technologies (NASDAQ:SONM)

Sonim Technologies (NASDAQ:SONM) and Viasat (NASDAQ:VSAT) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Risk & Volatility

Sonim Technologies has a beta of 1.88, meaning that its share price is 88% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Viasat has a beta of 1.26, meaning that its share price is 26% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Sonim Technologies and Viasat’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Sonim Technologies	-53.77%	-1,627.75%	-73.19%
Viasat	-13.11%	-6.37%	-1.91%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

3.3% of Sonim Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.1% of Viasat shares are held by institutional investors. 4.6% of Sonim Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Viasat shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Sonim Technologies and Viasat”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Sonim Technologies	$58.30 million	0.19	-$33.65 million	($2.93)	-0.21
Viasat	$4.52 billion	0.86	-$574.96 million	($4.62)	-6.26

Sonim Technologies has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Viasat. Viasat is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sonim Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Sonim Technologies and Viasat, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Sonim Technologies	0	0	0	0	0.00
Viasat	0	5	3	0	2.38

Viasat has a consensus price target of $21.43, suggesting a potential downside of 25.93%. Given Viasat’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Viasat is more favorable than Sonim Technologies.

Summary

Viasat beats Sonim Technologies on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sonim Technologies

Sonim Technologies, Inc. provides ruggedized mobile phones and accessories for task workers. The company offers ruggedized mobile phones, such as Sonim XP10, Sonim XP5plus, Sonim XP3plus, and Sonim XP Pro; Sonim mobile hotspot; industrial-grade accessories. It sells its mobile phones and accessories primarily to wireless carriers in the United States and Canada; and sells wireless carrier channels through distribution channels in North America and Europe. The company serves transportation and logistics, construction, manufacturing, facilities management, energy and utility, mining, and public safety sectors. The company was formerly known as NaviSpin.com, Inc. and changed its name to Sonim Technologies, Inc. in December 2001. Sonim Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

About Viasat

Viasat, Inc. provides broadband and communications products and services worldwide. The company's Satellite Services segment offers satellite-based fixed broadband services, including broadband internet access and voice over internet protocol services to consumers and businesses; in-flight entertainment and aviation software services to commercial airlines and private business jets; satellite-based connectivity services; mobile broadband services, including satellite-based internet services to energy offshore vessels, cruise ships, consumer ferries, and yachts; and energy services, which include ultra-secure solutions IP connectivity, bandwidth-optimized over-the-top applications, industrial internet-of-things big data enablement, and industry-leading machine learning analytics. Its Commercial Networks segment offers fixed broadband satellite communication systems comprising satellite network infrastructure and ground terminals; mobile broadband satellite communication systems; antenna systems for terrestrial and satellite applications, such as earth imaging, remote sensing, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band earth stations, and other multi-band antennas; and space systems design and satellite networking development systems. The company's Government Systems segment offers government mobile broadband products and services include mobile broadband modems, and terminals and network access control systems; mesh and hub-and-spoke satellite networking systems; secure networking, cybersecurity, and information assurance products; and tactical data link solutions. It designs and development of satellite and ground communications systems and network function virtualization, as well as ground-based network subsystems, as well as space system design and development products and services include architectures for GEO, MEO, LEO satellites, and other satellite platforms. The company was incorporated in 1986 and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.