Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI – Get Free Report) and SmartKem (NASDAQ:SMTK – Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by institutional investors. 4.5% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 13.8% of SmartKem shares are held by 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.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent recommendations for Applied Optoelectronics and SmartKem, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Applied Optoelectronics | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2.29 |
| SmartKem | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Profitability
This table compares Applied Optoelectronics and SmartKem’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Applied Optoelectronics | -8.39% | -5.29% | -2.99% |
| SmartKem | -1,507.75% | -610.88% | -267.27% |
Volatility and Risk
Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 3.23, indicating that its share price is 223% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SmartKem has a beta of 4.99, indicating that its share price is 399% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Applied Optoelectronics and SmartKem”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Applied Optoelectronics | $455.71 million | 28.09 | -$38.23 million | ($0.65) | -249.49 |
| SmartKem | $700,000.00 | 8.20 | -$10.51 million | ($1.28) | -0.21 |
SmartKem has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Applied Optoelectronics. Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SmartKem, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Applied Optoelectronics beats SmartKem on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Applied Optoelectronics
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells fiber-optic networking products in the United States, Taiwan, and China. It offers optical modules, optical filters, lasers, laser components, subassemblies, transmitters and transceivers, turn-key equipment, headend, node, distribution equipment, and amplifiers. The company sells its products to internet data center operators, cable television, telecom equipment manufacturers, fiber-to-the-home, and internet service providers through its direct and indirect sales channels. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas.
About SmartKem
SmartKem, Inc. develops electronics transistors using its proprietary advanced semiconductor materials. Its technology can be used in a range of applications including next generation MicroLED, LCD and AMOLED displays, as well as advanced computer and AI chip packaging, and a new type of sensor. The company was founded on September 21, 2018 and is headquartered in Blackley, the United Kingdom.
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