Head-To-Head Comparison: ZK International Group (NASDAQ:ZKIN) vs. Salzgitter (OTCMKTS:SZGPY)

ZK International Group (NASDAQ:ZKIN) and Salzgitter (OTCMKTS:SZGPY) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.3% of ZK International Group shares are held by institutional investors. 29.8% of ZK International Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares ZK International Group and Salzgitter”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
ZK International Group	$71.24 million	0.12	-$3.98 million	N/A	N/A
Salzgitter	$10.83 billion	0.32	-$381.12 million	($0.40)	-16.20

ZK International Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Salzgitter.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for ZK International Group and Salzgitter, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
ZK International Group	1	0	0	0	1.00
Salzgitter	1	4	3	1	2.44

Volatility and Risk

ZK International Group has a beta of 2.76, suggesting that its share price is 176% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Salzgitter has a beta of 1.41, suggesting that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares ZK International Group and Salzgitter’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
ZK International Group	N/A	N/A	N/A
Salzgitter	-2.09%	-4.31%	-1.83%

Summary

ZK International Group beats Salzgitter on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About ZK International Group

ZK International Group Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, engages in the designing, producing, and selling double-press thin-walled stainless steel, carbon steel, and single-press tubes and fittings in the People's Republic of China. It offers carbon and stainless steel strips; carbon and stainless steel pipes; light gauge stainless steel pipes; pipe connections and fittings; and couplings, unions, adapters, caps, plug pipes, elbows, three-way fittings, tees, cross, side-inlet elbows, wyes, reducers, bushings, pipe fasteners, and pipe flanges. The company also provides stainless steel band, copper strip, valve, light industry machinery and equipment, and other stainless steel products. Its products are used in various applications, including water and gas transmission within urban infrastructural development, residential housing development, food and beverage production, oil and gas exploitation, and agricultural irrigation. The company also exports its products to Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. ZK International Group Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Wenzhou, the People's Republic of China.

About Salzgitter

Salzgitter AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in steel and technology businesses worldwide. It operates through four segments: Steel Production, Steel Processing, Trading, and Technology. The Steel Production segment manufactures steel and special steels, such as hot-rolled wide strip, steel sheet, sections, tailored blanks, as well as scrap trading. The Steel Processing segment produces various high-grade heavy plates; and manufactures line pipes, HFI-welded tubes, and precision and stainless-steel tubes. The Trading segment operates a European sales network, as well as trading companies and agencies worldwide. The Technology segment engages in the provision of machinery and plants for the filling and packaging of beverages, as well as special machinery engineering for shoe manufacturing and elastomer production. The company also provides IT, facility management, logistics, automotive engineering, and research and development services, as well as supplies raw materials. The company was founded in 1858 and is headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany.