Comparing Lotus Technology (NASDAQ:LOT) & Blue Bird (NASDAQ:BLBD)

Lotus Technology (NASDAQ:LOT) and Blue Bird (NASDAQ:BLBD) are both small-cap auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Lotus Technology and Blue Bird’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Lotus Technology	-128.75%	N/A	-40.83%
Blue Bird	8.16%	61.66%	21.26%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Lotus Technology and Blue Bird”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Lotus Technology	$924.35 million	1.40	-$1.10 billion	($1.44)	-1.33
Blue Bird	$1.35 billion	1.31	$105.55 million	$3.50	15.94

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

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Lotus Technology and Blue Bird, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Lotus Technology	1	0	0	0	1.00
Blue Bird	0	1	6	0	2.86

Blue Bird has a consensus price target of $60.58, indicating a potential upside of 8.59%. Given Blue Bird’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Blue Bird is more favorable than Lotus Technology.

Volatility & Risk

Lotus Technology has a beta of 0.44, meaning that its stock price is 56% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Blue Bird has a beta of 1.64, meaning that its stock price is 64% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

63.4% of Lotus Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.6% of Blue Bird shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Lotus Technology shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Blue Bird shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Blue Bird beats Lotus Technology on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lotus Technology

Lotus Technology Inc. engages in the design, development, and sale of battery electric lifestyle vehicles worldwide. It also distributes sports cars. The company sells its products under the Lotus brand. Lotus Technology Inc. is based in Shanghai, China.

About Blue Bird

Blue Bird Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells school buses in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Bus and Parts. It offers Type C, Type D, and specialty buses; and alternative power options through its propane powered, gasoline powered, compressed natural gas powered, and electric powered school buses, as well as diesel engines. The company also sells replacement bus parts; and provides financing services and extended warranties related to its products. Blue Bird Corporation sells its products through drop ship and a network of dealers, as well as directly to fleet operators, the United States government, and state governments; independent service centers; and maintains a parts distribution center. Blue Bird Corporation was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Macon, Georgia.