WillScot (NASDAQ:WSC – Get Free Report) and Star (NASDAQ:STHO – Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
95.8% of WillScot shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.3% of Star shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.1% of WillScot shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.7% of Star shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares WillScot and Star”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| WillScot | $2.40 billion | 1.50 | $28.13 million | $1.21 | 16.31 |
| Star | $113.30 million | 0.88 | -$86.75 million | ($11.08) | -0.71 |
WillScot has higher revenue and earnings than Star. Star is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WillScot, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for WillScot and Star, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| WillScot | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2.50 |
| Star | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
WillScot presently has a consensus target price of $26.63, suggesting a potential upside of 34.88%. Given WillScot’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe WillScot is more favorable than Star.
Risk & Volatility
WillScot has a beta of 1.12, indicating that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Star has a beta of 1.23, indicating that its stock price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares WillScot and Star’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| WillScot | 9.64% | 23.09% | 3.93% |
| Star | -125.63% | -33.77% | -17.79% |
Summary
WillScot beats Star on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About WillScot
WillScot Holdings Corporation provides workspace and portable storage solutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates in two segments, Modular Solutions and Storage Solutions. Its modular solutions include panelized and stackable offices, single-wide modular space units, section modulars and redi-plex, classrooms, ground level offices, blast-resistant modules, clearspan structures, and other modular space; and portable storage solutions, such as portable and cold storage containers, as well as trailers. The company leases modular space and portable storage units to customers in the construction, commercial and industrial, retail and wholesale trade, energy and natural resources, education, government and institutions, and healthcare markets. The company offers its solutions primarily under the WillScot and Mobile Mini brand names. The company was formerly known as WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. and changed its name to WillScot Holdings Corporation in July 2024. WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
About Star
Star Holdings engages in the non-ground lease related commercial real estate businesses in the United States. Its portfolio primarily comprises interest in the Asbury Park Waterfront and Magnolia Green residential development projects. Star Holdings is based in New York, New York.
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