Analyzing GLG Life Tech (OTCMKTS:GLGLF) and Sysco (NYSE:SYY)

Sysco (NYSE:SYY) and GLG Life Tech (OTCMKTS:GLGLF) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Sysco and GLG Life Tech, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Sysco	0	5	10	0	2.67
GLG Life Tech	0	0	0	0	0.00

Sysco presently has a consensus price target of $90.31, indicating a potential upside of 10.33%. Given Sysco’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Sysco is more favorable than GLG Life Tech.

Volatility & Risk

Sysco has a beta of 0.58, indicating that its share price is 42% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, GLG Life Tech has a beta of 2.3, indicating that its share price is 130% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

83.4% of Sysco shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Sysco shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Sysco and GLG Life Tech”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Sysco	$82.65 billion	0.47	$1.83 billion	$3.72	22.00
GLG Life Tech	$10.62 million	0.00	$48.29 million	$0.23	N/A

Sysco has higher revenue and earnings than GLG Life Tech. GLG Life Tech is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sysco, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Sysco and GLG Life Tech’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Sysco	2.17%	109.21%	8.24%
GLG Life Tech	105.86%	N/A	-91.56%

Summary

Sysco beats GLG Life Tech on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sysco

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of various food and related products to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments. The company distributes frozen food, such as meat, seafood, fully prepared entrées, fruits, vegetables, and desserts; canned and dry food products; fresh meat and seafood products; dairy products; beverages; imported specialties; and fresh produce products. It also supplies various non-food items, including paper products comprising disposable napkins, plates, and cups; tableware consisting of glassware and silverware; cookware, such as pots, pans, and utensils; restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies; and cleaning supplies. The company serves restaurants, hospitals and nursing facilities, schools and colleges, hotels and motels, industrial caterers, and other foodservice venues. Sysco Corporation was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About GLG Life Tech

GLG Life Tech Corporation researches for, develops, grows, refines, and produces natural sweeteners extracted from the stevia plant and monk fruit in Canada and internationally. It also offers P-Pro Plus, a pea protein product; REB M GOLD, a bioconverted Rebaudioside M and Rebaudioside D. sweetener; and natural ingredients. It serves in the food and beverage industry. The company was formerly known as GLG Life Tech Limited and changed its name to GLG Life Tech Corporation in March 2007. GLG Life Tech Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.