QS Energy (OTCMKTS:QSEP – Get Free Report) and NPK International (NYSE:NPKI – Get Free Report) are both small-cap industrial products companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and dividends.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
80.8% of NPK International shares are held by institutional investors. 9.0% of QS Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 4.8% of NPK International shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares QS Energy and NPK International”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| QS Energy | N/A | N/A | -$1.22 million | N/A | N/A |
| NPK International | $217.49 million | 2.29 | $14.52 million | ($1.72) | -3.34 |
Profitability
This table compares QS Energy and NPK International’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| QS Energy | N/A | N/A | -1,020.74% |
| NPK International | -28.47% | 5.93% | 4.08% |
Volatility and Risk
QS Energy has a beta of -0.47, meaning that its share price is 147% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, NPK International has a beta of 2.89, meaning that its share price is 189% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for QS Energy and NPK International, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| QS Energy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| NPK International | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 |
NPK International has a consensus target price of $12.00, indicating a potential upside of 108.70%. Given NPK International’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe NPK International is more favorable than QS Energy.
Summary
NPK International beats QS Energy on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About QS Energy
QS Energy, Inc. develops and commercializes energy efficiency technologies in the United States and internationally. The company’s energy efficiency technologies assist in meeting energy demands, enhancing the economics of oil transport, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s primary technology comprises Applied Oil Technology, a commercial-grade crude oil pipeline transportation flow-assurance product that reduces crude oil viscosity by applying a high intensity electrical field to crude oil while in transit. It serves upstream and midstream energy sectors. The company was formerly known as Save the World Air, Inc. and changed its name to QS Energy, Inc. in August 2015. QS Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Tomball, Texas.
About NPK International
NPK International Inc. provides products, rentals, and services primarily to the oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) industry. It operates through two segments, Fluids Systems and Industrial Solutions. The Fluids Systems segment provides drilling, completion, and stimulation fluids products and related technical services to customers primarily in the North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as other countries in the Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Industrial Solutions segment offers composite matting system rentals utilized for temporary worksite access; related site construction and services to customers in various markets, including power transmission, E&P, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, construction, and other industries primarily in the United States and Europe; recyclable composite mats to customers worldwide; and access road construction, site planning and preparation, environmental protection, erosion control, and site restoration services. The company was formerly known as Newpark Resources, Inc. and changed its name to NPK International Inc. in December 2024. The company was incorporated in 1932 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
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