Critical Survey: Avalon (AWX) versus Its Rivals

Volatility & Risk

Avalon has a beta of 0.62, indicating that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Avalon’s peers have a beta of 2.45, indicating that their average stock price is 145% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Avalon and its peers’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Avalon	1.17%	2.72%	1.10%
Avalon Competitors	-61.35%	-123.59%	-1.37%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Avalon and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
Avalon	$85.14 million	-$1.77 million	17.07
Avalon Competitors	$2.43 billion	$140.15 million	23.99

Avalon’s peers have higher revenue and earnings than Avalon. Avalon is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

34.4% of Avalon shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 39.5% of shares of all “Commercial Services & Supplies” companies are owned by institutional investors. 20.0% of Avalon shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 16.7% of shares of all “Commercial Services & Supplies” companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Avalon peers beat Avalon on 5 of the 9 factors compared.

About Avalon

Avalon Holdings Corporation provides waste management services to industrial, commercial, municipal, and governmental customers in the United States. It operates in Waste Management Services, and Golf and Related Operations segments. The Waste Management Services segment offers hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal brokerage and management services; captive landfill management services; and turnkey services, including daily operations, facilities management, and management reporting. This segment also engages in the salt water injection well operations; and sale of construction mats. The Golf and Related Operations segment is involved in operation and management of golf courses and related clubhouses and facilities; and a hotel and its associated resort amenities, as well as an athletic center. Its golf and country club facilities offer swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, dining and banquet, conference facilities, salon, and spa services. The company also owns and operates hotel under the brand of The Grand Resort. Avalon Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Warren, Ohio.