Contrasting Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI) & Bristow Group (NYSE:VTOL)

Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI) and Bristow Group (NYSE:VTOL) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

34.6% of Atlas Energy Solutions shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.3% of Bristow Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 16.4% of Atlas Energy Solutions shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 12.8% of Bristow Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Atlas Energy Solutions and Bristow Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Atlas Energy Solutions	-12.98%	-12.38%	-5.87%
Bristow Group	4.98%	7.47%	3.38%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Atlas Energy Solutions and Bristow Group”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Atlas Energy Solutions	$1.10 billion	0.61	-$50.30 million	($1.12)	-4.77
Bristow Group	$1.49 billion	0.79	$129.07 million	$2.68	15.01

Bristow Group has higher revenue and earnings than Atlas Energy Solutions. Atlas Energy Solutions is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bristow Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Atlas Energy Solutions and Bristow Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Atlas Energy Solutions	3	3	6	0	2.25
Bristow Group	1	0	3	0	2.50

Atlas Energy Solutions presently has a consensus price target of $16.50, indicating a potential upside of 208.99%. Bristow Group has a consensus price target of $63.00, indicating a potential upside of 56.60%. Given Atlas Energy Solutions’ higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Atlas Energy Solutions is more favorable than Bristow Group.

Volatility and Risk

Atlas Energy Solutions has a beta of 1.29, suggesting that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bristow Group has a beta of 1.22, suggesting that its share price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Bristow Group beats Atlas Energy Solutions on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Atlas Energy Solutions

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. is a U.S. energy-services company that supplies proppant, primarily frac sand, used in hydraulic fracturing. The company mines, processes and distributes sand for oil and natural gas operators. Atlas also provides logistics services to move proppant from its facilities to well sites, including transportation and storage. Its operations are focused on the Permian Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, a major oil and gas producing region. Founded in 2017, the company has developed an integrated supply and logistics network serving energy producers in the region.

About Bristow Group

Bristow Group, Inc. provides helicopter and other aviation services, primarily supporting offshore energy operations and government customers. Its services include transporting personnel and supplies to offshore installations, as well as search-and-rescue operations and related aviation support. The company serves customers across several regions, including the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia. Its operations include contracted search-and-rescue services in parts of Europe and the United Kingdom, alongside aviation services for the energy industry.