Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT – Get Free Report) and Astrotech (NASDAQ:ASTC – Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership and risk.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Elbit Systems and Astrotech”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Elbit Systems | $7.94 billion | 4.87 | $534.34 million | $11.36 | 76.57 |
| Astrotech | $1.20 million | 3.48 | -$13.85 million | ($8.34) | -0.28 |
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Elbit Systems and Astrotech, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Elbit Systems | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2.40 |
| Astrotech | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Elbit Systems currently has a consensus target price of $550.33, suggesting a potential downside of 36.73%. Given Elbit Systems’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Elbit Systems is more favorable than Astrotech.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
17.9% of Elbit Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.4% of Astrotech shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.8% of Elbit Systems shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.8% of Astrotech shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Profitability
This table compares Elbit Systems and Astrotech’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Elbit Systems | 6.73% | 15.53% | 4.94% |
| Astrotech | -1,163.89% | -68.53% | -57.30% |
Volatility & Risk
Elbit Systems has a beta of 0.22, meaning that its share price is 78% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Astrotech has a beta of 0.38, meaning that its share price is 62% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
Elbit Systems beats Astrotech on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. develops and supplies a portfolio of airborne, land, and naval systems and products for the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications primarily in Israel. The company operates through Aerospace, C4I and Cyber, ISTAR and EW, Land, and Elbit Systems of America segments. It also offers military aircraft and helicopter systems; commercial aviation systems and aerostructures; unmanned aircraft systems; electro-optic, night vision, and countermeasures systems; naval systems; land vehicle systems; munitions, such as precision munitions for land, air, and sea applications; command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber systems; electronic warfare and signal intelligence systems; and other commercial activities. In addition, the company manufactures and sells data links and radio communication systems and equipment, and cyber intelligence, autonomous, and homeland security solutions. Further, it provides various electronic warfare and signal intelligence systems, and laser systems; armored vehicle and other platforms survivability and protection systems, artillery, and mortar systems, as well as provides various training and support services. Additionally, the company offers products and systems solutions to military, homeland security, medical instrumentation, and commercial aviation clients. It markets its systems and products as a prime contractor or subcontractor to various governments and companies. It also has operations in Israel, North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is based in Haifa, Israel.
About Astrotech
Astrotech Corporation operates as a mass spectrometry company worldwide. It owns and licenses the intellectual property related to the Astrotech Mass Spectrometer Technology, a platform mass spectrometry technology. The company also develops TRACER 1000, a mass spectrometer-based explosive trace detector to replace the explosives trace detectors used at airports, cargo and other secured facilities, and borders. In addition, it develops AgLAB-1000, a mass spectrometer for use in the hemp and cannabis market. Further, the company develops BreathTest-1000, a breath analysis tool to screen for volatile organic compound metabolites found in a person's breath. The company was formerly known as SPACEHAB, Inc. and changed its name to Astrotech Corporation in 2009. The company was incorporated in 1984 and is based in Austin, Texas.
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