Analyzing Grafton Group (OTCMKTS:GROUF) and American Biltrite (OTCMKTS:ABLT)

American Biltrite (OTCMKTS:ABLT) and Grafton Group (OTCMKTS:GROUF) are both construction companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk.

Risk and Volatility

American Biltrite has a beta of -0.12, meaning that its stock price is 112% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Grafton Group has a beta of 0.33, meaning that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares American Biltrite and Grafton Group”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
American Biltrite	$188.74 million	0.01	-$2.64 million	($204.96)	-0.37
Grafton Group	$2.92 billion	0.85	$155.92 million	N/A	N/A

Grafton Group has higher revenue and earnings than American Biltrite.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for American Biltrite and Grafton Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
American Biltrite	0	0	0	0	0.00
Grafton Group	0	0	1	0	3.00

Profitability

This table compares American Biltrite and Grafton Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
American Biltrite	-3.66%	-28.92%	-5.48%
Grafton Group	N/A	N/A	N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

8.2% of Grafton Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Grafton Group beats American Biltrite on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About American Biltrite

American Biltrite Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides tape, jewelry, flooring, and rubber products worldwide. The company produces and offers pressure sensitive tapes, films, and protective sheeting under the American Biltrite and Ideal brands, which are used in various markets, such as automotive and transportation; construction; shoe/footwear; graphic arts, print, and signage; and various other industrial and consumer applications. It also manufactures and distributes commercial flooring primarily for healthcare, educational, and institutional sectors; and performance sheet rubber in North America, as well as designs and supplies fashion jewelry to department stores under the brands of Guess, T Tahari, Robert Rose, Berry, and Jessica McClintock. The company sells its tape products through sales organizations, distributors, and select manufacturers’ representatives. American Biltrite Inc. was founded in 1908 and is based in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.

About Grafton Group

Grafton Group plc engages in the distribution, retailing, and manufacturing businesses in Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom. Its Distribution segment distributes building materials, paint, tools, ironmongery, fixings, and accessories, workwear and PPE, and spare parts; materials and plant for mechanical services, heating, plumbing, and air movement; and trade, DIY, and self-build markets with building materials, timber, doors and floors, plumbing and heating, bathrooms, and landscaping products under the Selco, Leyland SDM, Chadwicks, MacBlair, Isero, Polvo, Gunters en Meuser, TG Lynes, and IKH brands. The company’s Retailing segment retails home and garden products through stores, including DIY products, paints, lighting products, homestyle products, housewares, bathroom products, and kitchens, as well as gardening and Christmas products under the Woodie’s brand. Its Manufacturing segment manufactures dry mortars and wooden staircases; and drainage, ducting and roofline systems under the CPI Mortar, StairBox, and MFP brand names. Grafton Group plc was founded in 1902 and is based in Dublin, Ireland.