Contrasting Ascent Solar Technologies (NASDAQ:ASTI) & Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI)

Ascent Solar Technologies (NASDAQ:ASTI) and Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, earnings and valuation.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Ascent Solar Technologies and Applied Optoelectronics”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Ascent Solar Technologies	$266,077.00	12.80	-$17.07 million	N/A	N/A
Applied Optoelectronics	$217.65 million	3.16	-$56.05 million	($1.91)	-8.82

Ascent Solar Technologies has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Applied Optoelectronics.

Risk and Volatility

Ascent Solar Technologies has a beta of 2.62, indicating that its stock price is 162% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Applied Optoelectronics has a beta of 1.96, indicating that its stock price is 96% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Ascent Solar Technologies and Applied Optoelectronics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Ascent Solar Technologies	-4,900.29%	N/A	-144.70%
Applied Optoelectronics	-34.84%	-19.82%	-10.51%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

10.6% of Ascent Solar Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.7% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Ascent Solar Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.4% of Applied Optoelectronics shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Ascent Solar Technologies and Applied Optoelectronics, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Ascent Solar Technologies	0	0	0	0	N/A
Applied Optoelectronics	0	2	2	0	2.50

Applied Optoelectronics has a consensus price target of $13.75, suggesting a potential downside of 18.35%. Given Applied Optoelectronics’ higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Applied Optoelectronics is more favorable than Ascent Solar Technologies.

Summary

Applied Optoelectronics beats Ascent Solar Technologies on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ascent Solar Technologies

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a solar technology company, engages in the manufacture and sale of photovoltaic solar modules in the United States. The company markets and sells its products through OEMs, system integrators, distributors, retailers, and value-added resellers. It serves agrivoltaics, aerospace, satellites, near earth orbiting vehicles, and fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles. Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Thornton, Colorado.

About Applied Optoelectronics

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells fiber-optic networking products in the United States, Taiwan, and China. It offers optical modules, optical filters, lasers, laser components, subassemblies, transmitters and transceivers, turn-key equipment, headend, node, distribution equipment, and amplifiers. The company sells its products to internet data center operators, cable television, telecom equipment manufacturers, fiber-to-the-home, and internet service providers through its direct and indirect sales channels. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas.