Reviewing LivePerson (NASDAQ:LPSN) and KE (NYSE:BEKE)

LivePerson (NASDAQ:LPSN) and KE (NYSE:BEKE) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares LivePerson and KE’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
LivePerson	-27.58%	N/A	-8.06%
KE	3.15%	4.70%	2.61%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

79.8% of LivePerson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 39.3% of KE shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of LivePerson shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.8% of KE shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Risk and Volatility

LivePerson has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its share price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, KE has a beta of -0.53, indicating that its share price is 153% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares LivePerson and KE”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
LivePerson	$243.74 million	0.13	-$67.23 million	($13.05)	-0.21
KE	$13.52 billion	1.33	$428.13 million	$0.36	44.53

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

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for LivePerson and KE, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
LivePerson	1	1	0	0	1.50
KE	0	3	4	0	2.57

KE has a consensus target price of $22.03, suggesting a potential upside of 37.42%. Given KE’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe KE is more favorable than LivePerson.

Summary

KE beats LivePerson on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About LivePerson

LivePerson, Inc. engages in conversational artificial intelligence. It enables brands to leverage the Conversational Cloud's intelligence engine to connect with consumers through an integrated suite of mobile and online business messaging technologies. The company offers the Conversational Cloud, an enterprise-class digital customer conversation platform, which enables businesses and consumers to connect through conversational channels, such as voice, in-app, and mobile messaging. It also provides professional services; LivePerson's Conversational AI, including conversation builder, manager, and intelligence, and intent manager. In addition, it provides Voice AI, conversational intelligence and insights, and integration services. The company sells its products to Fortune 500 companies, Internet businesses, online merchants, automotive dealers, educational institution, public sector, and not-for-profit organizations. It operates in the United States, Canada, Latin America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Asia-Pacific. LivePerson, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

About KE

KE Holdings Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in operating an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services in the People's Republic of China. It operates through four segments: Existing Home Transaction Services, New Home Transaction Services, Home Renovation and Furnishing, and Emerging and Other Services. The company operates Beike, an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services; Lianjia, a real estate brokerage branded store; Agent Cooperation Network, an operating system that fosters reciprocity and bonding among various service providers; and software-as-a-service systems. It also owns the Deyou brand for connected brokerage stores; and other brands. In addition, the company offers contract, secure payment, escrow, and other services. KE Holdings Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.