Ecovyst (NYSE:ECVT – Get Free Report) and Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE – Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and dividends.
Profitability
This table compares Ecovyst and Green Plains’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Ecovyst | -9.27% | 9.39% | 3.71% |
| Green Plains | -5.80% | -8.70% | -4.21% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current recommendations for Ecovyst and Green Plains, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Ecovyst | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.50 |
| Green Plains | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2.11 |
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Ecovyst and Green Plains”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Ecovyst | $723.50 million | 1.81 | -$71.13 million | ($0.62) | -19.14 |
| Green Plains | $2.09 billion | 0.51 | -$121.28 million | ($1.89) | -8.13 |
Ecovyst has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Green Plains. Ecovyst is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Green Plains, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
86.7% of Ecovyst shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of Ecovyst shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Green Plains shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Risk and Volatility
Ecovyst has a beta of 1.17, indicating that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Green Plains has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its stock price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
Ecovyst beats Green Plains on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Ecovyst
Ecovyst Inc. offers specialty catalysts and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Ecoservices and Advanced Materials & Catalysts. The Ecoservices segment provides sulfuric acid recycling services and end-to-end logistics for production of alkylate for refineries; and virgin sulfuric acid for mining, water treatment, and industrial applications. The Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment offers advanced materials and specialty catalyst products and process solutions to producers and licensors of polyethylene and advanced silicas. This segment also supplies specialty zeolites and zeolite-based catalysts to customers for refining of oil primarily hydrocracking catalyst and dewaxing, sustainable fuels, and emission control systems for both on-road and non-road diesel engines. The company was formerly known as PQ Group Holdings Inc. and changed its name to Ecovyst Inc. in August 2021. Ecovyst Inc. was founded in 1831 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
About Green Plains
Green Plains Inc. produces low-carbon fuels in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Ethanol Production, Agribusiness and Energy Services, and Partnership. The Ethanol Production segment produces ethanol, distillers grains, and ultra-high protein and renewable corn oil. The Agribusiness and Energy Services segment engages in the grain procurement, handling and storage, commodity marketing business; and trading of ethanol, distiller grains, renewable corn oil, grain, natural gas, and other commodities in various markets. This segment also provides grain drying and storage services to grain producers. The Partnership segment offers fuel storage and transportation services. It operates 24 ethanol storage facilities; two fuel terminal facilities; and a fleet of approximately 2,180 leased railcars. The company was formerly known as Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. and changed its name to Green Plains Inc. in May 2014. Green Plains Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
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