BlackSky Technology (NYSE:BKSY) versus Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT) Critical Contrast

BlackSky Technology (NYSE:BKSY) and Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

27.2% of BlackSky Technology shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.5% of Crane NXT shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of BlackSky Technology shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Crane NXT shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares BlackSky Technology and Crane NXT”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
BlackSky Technology	$106.57 million	14.39	-$70.26 million	($2.55)	-16.21
Crane NXT	$1.66 billion	1.44	$145.10 million	$2.24	18.50

Crane NXT has higher revenue and earnings than BlackSky Technology. BlackSky Technology is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Crane NXT, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility & Risk

BlackSky Technology has a beta of 2.44, suggesting that its stock price is 144% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Crane NXT has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares BlackSky Technology and Crane NXT’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
BlackSky Technology	-89.07%	-74.25%	-18.09%
Crane NXT	7.57%	19.59%	7.59%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations for BlackSky Technology and Crane NXT, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
BlackSky Technology	1	0	4	0	2.60
Crane NXT	1	1	3	1	2.67

BlackSky Technology presently has a consensus price target of $29.75, suggesting a potential downside of 28.03%. Crane NXT has a consensus price target of $67.40, suggesting a potential upside of 62.61%. Given Crane NXT’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Crane NXT is more favorable than BlackSky Technology.

Summary

Crane NXT beats BlackSky Technology on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BlackSky Technology

BlackSky Technology Inc. provides geospatial intelligence, imagery and related data analytic products and services, and mission systems that include the development, integration, and operation of satellite and ground systems for government and commercial customers in North America, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company's Spectra software platform processes a range of observations from its satellite constellation and various external data sources, including imaging, radar and radio frequency satellites, environmental sensors, asset tracking sensors, Internet-of-Things (IoT) connected devices, internet-enabled narrative sources, and a variety of geotemporal data feeds. It offers a range of services related to object, change and anomaly detection, site monitoring, and enhanced analytics, which helps to detect key pattern of life changes in critical locations, including strategic locations and infrastructure comprising ports, airports, and construction sites; retail activity; commodities stockpiles; and other sites that contain critical commodities and supply chain inventory. In addition, the company develops and delivers satellites and payload systems; and provides professional and engineering services. Its products and services are used in national security, supply chain intelligence, crisis management, critical infrastructure monitoring, economic intelligence, and other applications. BlackSky Technology Inc. was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.

About Crane NXT

Crane NXT, Co. operates as an industrial technology company that provides technology solutions to secure, detect, and authenticate customers’ important assets. The company operates through Crane Payment Innovations and Crane Currency segments. The Crane Payment Innovations segment offers electronic equipment and associated software, as well as advanced automation solutions, processing systems, field service solutions, remote diagnostics, and productivity software solutions. The Crane Currency segment provides advanced security solutions based on proprietary technology for securing physical products, including banknotes, consumer goods, and industrial products. Crane NXT, Co. was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.