Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK – Get Free Report) and Spruce Power (NYSE:SPRU – Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk and analyst recommendations.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
75.8% of Rockwell Automation shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 20.8% of Spruce Power shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Rockwell Automation shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 12.7% of Spruce Power shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Rockwell Automation and Spruce Power, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Rockwell Automation | 1 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 2.68 |
| Spruce Power | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares Rockwell Automation and Spruce Power”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Rockwell Automation | $8.26 billion | 4.80 | $952.50 million | $8.52 | 41.42 |
| Spruce Power | $98.40 million | 0.53 | -$70.49 million | ($4.21) | -0.69 |
Rockwell Automation has higher revenue and earnings than Spruce Power. Spruce Power is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Rockwell Automation, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Rockwell Automation and Spruce Power’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Rockwell Automation | 12.03% | 30.14% | 9.83% |
| Spruce Power | -78.82% | -35.22% | -5.68% |
Risk and Volatility
Rockwell Automation has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Spruce Power has a beta of 1.73, meaning that its share price is 73% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
Rockwell Automation beats Spruce Power on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services. The Intelligent Devices segment offers drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & Control segment provides control and visualization software and hardware, information software, and network and security infrastructure solutions. The Lifecycle Services segment provides consulting, professional services and solutions, and connected and maintenance services. The company sells its solutions primarily through independent distributors in relation with its direct sales force. It serves discrete end markets, including automotive, semiconductor, and warehousing and logistics, as well as general industries comprising printing and publishing, marine, glass, fiber and textiles, airports, and aerospace; hybrid end markets, such as food and beverage, life sciences, household and personal care, and tire, as well as eco industrial, including water/wastewater, waste management, mass transit, and renewable energy; and process end markets comprising oil and gas, mining, metals, chemicals, pulp and paper, and others. Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
About Spruce Power
Spruce Power Holding Corporation owns and operates distributed solar energy assets in the United States. The company provides subscription-based services for homeowners and businesses to own and maintain rooftop solar and battery storage. It offers its subscription-based services to approximately 75,000 customers. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
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