Reviewing APA (NASDAQ:APA) and Universal Energy (OTCMKTS:UVSE)

APA (NASDAQ:APA) and Universal Energy (OTCMKTS:UVSE) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares APA and Universal Energy”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
APA	$9.22 billion	1.51	$1.43 billion	$3.99	9.90
Universal Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

APA has higher revenue and earnings than Universal Energy.

Risk & Volatility

APA has a beta of 0.49, meaning that its stock price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Universal Energy has a beta of 0.36, meaning that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

83.0% of APA shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.3% of APA shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Universal Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares APA and Universal Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
APA	15.55%	19.89%	7.51%
Universal Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for APA and Universal Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
APA	4	20	7	0	2.10
Universal Energy	0	0	0	0	0.00

APA presently has a consensus price target of $38.08, indicating a potential downside of 3.58%. Given Universal Energy’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Universal Energy is more favorable than APA.

Summary

APA beats Universal Energy on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About APA

APA Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. It has oil and gas operations in the United States, Egypt, and North Sea. The company also has exploration and appraisal activities in Suriname, as well as holds interests in projects located in Uruguay and internationally. APA Corporation was incorporated in 1954 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Universal Energy

Universal Energy Corp., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and Canada. It has 13 oil and gas lease projects. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Lake Mary, Florida.