Contrasting Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG) and Universal Energy (OTCMKTS:UVSE)

Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG) and Universal Energy (OTCMKTS:UVSE) are both energy companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability and dividends.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

98.8% of Northern Oil and Gas shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.9% of Northern Oil and Gas shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Universal Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Northern Oil and Gas and Universal Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Northern Oil and Gas	1.57%	19.74%	8.14%
Universal Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A

Risk & Volatility

Northern Oil and Gas has a beta of 0.94, indicating that its share price is 6% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Universal Energy has a beta of 0.36, indicating that its share price is 64% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Northern Oil and Gas and Universal Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Northern Oil and Gas	1	4	3	1	2.44
Universal Energy	0	0	0	0	0.00

Northern Oil and Gas presently has a consensus target price of $31.71, indicating a potential upside of 12.19%. Given Northern Oil and Gas’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Northern Oil and Gas is more favorable than Universal Energy.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Northern Oil and Gas and Universal Energy”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Northern Oil and Gas	$2.48 billion	1.11	$38.76 million	$0.33	85.66
Universal Energy	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Northern Oil and Gas has higher revenue and earnings than Universal Energy.

Summary

Northern Oil and Gas beats Universal Energy on 11 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Northern Oil and Gas

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States. The company is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

About Universal Energy

Universal Energy Corp., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and Canada. It has 13 oil and gas lease projects. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Lake Mary, Florida.