Astrotech (NASDAQ:ASTC – Get Free Report) and Heico (NYSE:HEI.A – Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.
Volatility and Risk
Astrotech has a beta of 0.34, indicating that its share price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Heico has a beta of 1.08, indicating that its share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Astrotech and Heico”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Astrotech | $1.31 million | 4.78 | -$13.85 million | ($8.45) | -0.42 |
| Heico | $4.49 billion | 8.04 | $690.39 million | $4.57 | 56.63 |
Heico has higher revenue and earnings than Astrotech. Astrotech is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Heico, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Astrotech and Heico’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Astrotech | -1,069.89% | -59.71% | -51.64% |
| Heico | 15.39% | 16.80% | 8.36% |
Insider & Institutional Ownership
24.4% of Astrotech shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 59.0% of Heico shares are held by institutional investors. 16.8% of Astrotech shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 9.8% of Heico shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Astrotech and Heico, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Astrotech | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Heico | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.00 |
Summary
Heico beats Astrotech on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Astrotech
Astrotech Corporation operates as a mass spectrometry company worldwide. It owns and licenses the intellectual property related to the Astrotech Mass Spectrometer Technology, a platform mass spectrometry technology. The company also develops TRACER 1000, a mass spectrometer-based explosive trace detector to replace the explosives trace detectors used at airports, cargo and other secured facilities, and borders. In addition, it develops AgLAB-1000, a mass spectrometer for use in the hemp and cannabis market. Further, the company develops BreathTest-1000, a breath analysis tool to screen for volatile organic compound metabolites found in a person's breath. The company was formerly known as SPACEHAB, Inc. and changed its name to Astrotech Corporation in 2009. The company was incorporated in 1984 and is based in Austin, Texas.
About Heico
HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company's Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; renewable/reusable insulation systems; and specialty components. This segment also distributes hydraulic, pneumatic, structural, interconnect, mechanical, and electro-mechanical components for the commercial, regional, and general aviation markets; and offers repair and overhaul services for jet engine and aircraft component parts, avionics, instruments, composites, and flight surfaces of commercial aircraft, as well as for avionics and navigation systems, subcomponents, and other instruments utilized on military aircraft. Its Electronic Technologies Group segment provides electro-optical infrared simulation and test equipment; electro-optical laser products; electro-optical, microwave, and other power equipment; electromagnetic and radio interference shielding and suppression filters; high-speed interface products; high voltage interconnection devices; high voltage advanced power electronics; power conversion products; and underwater locator beacons and emergency locator transmission beacons. This segment also offers traveling wave tube amplifiers and microwave power modules; three-dimensional microelectronic and stacked memory products; harsh environment connectivity products and custom molded cable assemblies; radio frequency and microwave amplifiers, transmitters, and receivers; communications and electronic intercept receivers and tuners; self-sealing auxiliary fuel systems; active antenna systems; and nuclear radiation detectors. The company serves customers primarily in the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications, and electronics industries. HEICO Corporation was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Hollywood, Florida.
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