Head to Head Analysis: Positron (OTCMKTS:POSC) vs. Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX)

Positron (OTCMKTS:POSC) and Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX) are both medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and profitability.

Volatility and Risk

Positron has a beta of 0.2, indicating that its share price is 80% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hologic has a beta of 0.63, indicating that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Positron and Hologic, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Positron	0	0	0	0	0.00
Hologic	0	9	8	1	2.56

Hologic has a consensus target price of $79.38, suggesting a potential upside of 16.37%. Given Hologic’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Hologic is more favorable than Positron.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

94.7% of Hologic shares are held by institutional investors. 17.2% of Positron shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.9% of Hologic shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Positron and Hologic”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Positron	$590,000.00	77.19	-$2.39 million	($0.12)	-12.08
Hologic	$4.03 billion	3.76	$789.50 million	$2.41	28.31

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

Profitability

This table compares Positron and Hologic’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Positron	-592.35%	-419.44%	-79.38%
Hologic	13.79%	19.69%	10.82%

Summary

Hologic beats Positron on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Positron

Positron Corporation, a nuclear medicine healthcare company, specializes in the business of cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in the United States. It offers attrius PET scanner, clinical and technical services, and financing solutions enables healthcare providers to accurately diagnose cardiac disease, improve patient outcomes, and practice cost effective medicines. Positron Corporation was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Niagara Falls, New York.

About Hologic

Hologic, Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies diagnostics products, medical imaging systems, and surgical products for women's health through early detection and treatment. The company operates through four segments: Diagnostics, Breast Health, GYN Surgical, and Skeletal Health. It provides Aptima molecular diagnostic assays to detect the infectious microorganisms; Aptima viral load assays for Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and human cytomegalo virus; Aptima bacterial vaginosis and candida vaginitis assays for the diagnosis of vaginitis; Aptima SARS-CoV-2 and Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assays to detect SARS-CoV-2; ThinPrep System for cytology applications; and Rapid Fetal Fibronectin Test that assists physicians in assessing the risk of pre-term birth. The company also offers breast cancer care solutions in the areas of radiology, breast surgery, pathology, and treatment, such as 3D digital mammography systems, image analytics software, reading workstations, minimally invasive breast biopsy guidance systems, breast biopsy site markers, localization, specimen radiology, and connectivity solutions; and breast conserving surgery products. In addition, it provides MyoSure Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal System for the removal of fibroids and polyps in the uterus; NovaSure Endometrial Ablation System to treat abnormal uterine bleeding; Fluent Fluid Management System that provides liquid distention during diagnostic and operative hysteroscopic procedures; Acessa ProVu system to treat various fibroids; and CoolSeal portfolio, such as bipolar vessel sealing devices. Further, the company offers Horizon DXA, a dual energy X-ray system; and Fluoroscan Insight FD mini C-arm to perform minimally invasive orthopedic surgical procedures. It sells its products through direct sales, service forces, independent distributors, and sales representatives. Hologic, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.