Analyzing Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) & Heico (NYSE:HEI)

Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) and Heico (NYSE:HEI) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

27.1% of Heico shares are held by institutional investors. 33.0% of Applied Visual Sciences shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 9.6% of Heico 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.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Applied Visual Sciences and Heico, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Visual Sciences	0	0	0	0	0.00
Heico	0	6	10	0	2.63

Heico has a consensus target price of $346.09, suggesting a potential upside of 12.63%. Given Heico’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Heico is more favorable than Applied Visual Sciences.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and Heico”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Heico	$3.86 billion	11.09	$514.11 million	$4.57	67.24

Heico has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Visual Sciences.

Risk and Volatility

Applied Visual Sciences has a beta of 6.74, meaning that its share price is 574% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Heico has a beta of 1.08, meaning that its share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and Heico’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A
Heico	14.96%	16.29%	8.00%

Summary

Heico beats Applied Visual Sciences on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Applied Visual Sciences

Applied Visual Sciences, Inc., a software technology company, designs and develops computer-vision detection solutions based on image processing science for aviation/homeland security and healthcare markets. It utilizes imaging technologies and analytics to create integrated information management technology products and services that address problems for corporations and governmental agencies. The company offers PinPoint, an intelligent computer-vision automated target recognition technology for the detection of guns, explosives, and other threat items contained in baggage in the airport environment or for building security applications; and Signature Mapping platform technology for use in the imaging field of diagnostic radiology and pathology. It also provides Signature Mapping Detection System, an automated hardware-software laboratory solution used to operate various infectious disease applications through multi-threaded detection algorithms. In addition, the company offers Signature Mapping Tuberculosis Detection software, an automated hardware and software technology platform; and Signature Mapping Breast Cancer Detection, a breast cancer detection solution. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. markets its products through direct sales and indirect distribution channels worldwide. The company was formerly known as Guardian Technologies International, Inc. and changed its name to Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. in July 2010. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is based in Leesburg, Virginia.

About Heico

HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; renewable/reusable insulation systems; and specialty components. This segment also distributes hydraulic, pneumatic, structural, interconnect, mechanical, and electro-mechanical components for the commercial, regional, and general aviation markets; and offers repair and overhaul services for jet engine and aircraft component parts, avionics, instruments, composites, and flight surfaces of commercial aircraft, as well as for avionics and navigation systems, and other instruments utilized on military aircraft. The company's Electronic Technologies Group segment provides electro-optical infrared simulation and test equipment; electro-optical laser products; electro-optical, microwave, and other power equipment; electromagnetic and radio frequency (RF) interference shielding and suppression filters; power conversion and interface; interconnection devices; and underwater locator beacons and emergency locator transmission beacons. This segment also offers traveling wave tube amplifiers and microwave power modules; memory products and specialty semiconductors; harsh environment connectivity products and custom molded cable assemblies; RF and microwave products; communications and electronic intercept receivers and tuners; self-sealing auxiliary fuel systems; active antenna systems and airborne antennas; nuclear radiation detectors; silicone products; power amplifiers; ceramic-to-metal feedthroughs and connectors; technical surveillance countermeasures equipment; RF receivers and sources; embedded computing solutions; test sockets and adapters; and radiation assurance services. The company was incorporated in 1957 and is headquartered in Hollywood, Florida.