Marqeta (NASDAQ:MQ – Get Free Report) and PAR Technology (NYSE:PAR – Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
78.6% of Marqeta shares are owned by institutional investors. 12.6% of Marqeta shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.7% of PAR Technology shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Risk and Volatility
Marqeta has a beta of 1.48, suggesting that its stock price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, PAR Technology has a beta of 1.35, suggesting that its stock price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Marqeta | $506.99 million | 4.11 | $27.29 million | ($0.08) | -59.13 |
| PAR Technology | $349.98 million | 4.33 | -$4.99 million | ($2.14) | -17.45 |
Marqeta has higher revenue and earnings than PAR Technology. Marqeta is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than PAR Technology, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Marqeta and PAR Technology’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Marqeta | -6.74% | -4.22% | -2.88% |
| PAR Technology | -19.21% | -2.56% | -1.58% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Marqeta and PAR Technology, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Marqeta | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1.92 |
| PAR Technology | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2.56 |
Marqeta currently has a consensus price target of $5.33, suggesting a potential upside of 12.76%. PAR Technology has a consensus price target of $64.00, suggesting a potential upside of 71.35%. Given PAR Technology’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe PAR Technology is more favorable than Marqeta.
About Marqeta
Marqeta, Inc. operates a cloud-based open application programming interface platform that delivers card issuing and transaction processing services. It offers its solutions in various verticals, including financial services, on-demand services, expense management, and e-commerce enablement, as well as buy now, pay later. Marqeta, Inc. was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Oakland, California.
About PAR Technology
PAR Technology Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides omnichannel cloud-based hardware and software solutions to the restaurant and retail industries worldwide. The Restaurant/Retail segment offers PUNCHH, an enterprise-grade customer loyalty and engagement solution; MENU, an eCommerce platform for restaurant brands; BRINK POS, an open cloud, point-of-sale solution; PAR PAYMENT SERVICES, a merchant services business that enables electronic payment and processing services for businesses; and DATA CENTRAL, a back-office solution that leverages business intelligence and automation technologies. This segment also offers Point-of-Sale Hardware; wireless headsets for drive-thru order-taking; and kitchen display systems, payment devices, cash drawers, printers, and other peripherals. In addition, this segment provides services, such as hardware repair, installation and implementation, training, and on-site and technical support services. The Government segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions; mission systems operations and maintenance, and commercial software products; systems engineering support and software-based solutions; satellite and teleport facility operation and maintenance, engineering, and installation services comprising inside and outside plant services, and maintenance of infrastructure and information systems; satellite ground system support comprising operations and maintenance, sustainment, upgrades, communications security management, anomaly response/resolution, process improvement, emergency response, and disaster recovery services; and information technology infrastructure library services to the United States Department of Defense, intelligence community (IC), and other federal agencies. This segment also offers various IC support services, systems integration, situational awareness solutions, and mission readiness support services. The company was founded in 1968 and is based in New Hartford, New York.
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