Minerva Neurosciences (NASDAQ:NERV – Get Free Report) and Vistagen Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VTGN – Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, profitability, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.
Profitability
This table compares Minerva Neurosciences and Vistagen Therapeutics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Minerva Neurosciences | N/A | N/A | -6.74% |
| Vistagen Therapeutics | -4,521.71% | -36.35% | -33.62% |
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares Minerva Neurosciences and Vistagen Therapeutics”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Minerva Neurosciences | N/A | N/A | -$30.00 million | ($0.44) | -4.82 |
| Vistagen Therapeutics | $1.06 million | 68.55 | -$29.36 million | ($1.24) | -2.10 |
Risk & Volatility
Minerva Neurosciences has a beta of 0.18, suggesting that its stock price is 82% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vistagen Therapeutics has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current ratings for Minerva Neurosciences and Vistagen Therapeutics, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Minerva Neurosciences | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Vistagen Therapeutics | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.50 |
Minerva Neurosciences currently has a consensus price target of $5.00, suggesting a potential upside of 135.85%. Vistagen Therapeutics has a consensus price target of $15.00, suggesting a potential upside of 474.71%. Given Vistagen Therapeutics’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Vistagen Therapeutics is more favorable than Minerva Neurosciences.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
34.6% of Minerva Neurosciences shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 78.4% of Vistagen Therapeutics shares are held by institutional investors. 8.6% of Minerva Neurosciences shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Vistagen Therapeutics shares are held 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
Vistagen Therapeutics beats Minerva Neurosciences on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Minerva Neurosciences
Minerva Neurosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of product candidates for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Its lead product candidate is roluperidone (MIN-101) for the treatment of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, currently submitted an New Drug Application (NDA); and MIN-301, a soluble recombinant form of the neuregulin-1b1 protein for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The company has a license agreement with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation to develop, sell, and import roluperidone globally excluding Asia. Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Burlington, Massachusetts.
About Vistagen Therapeutics
Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, primarily focus to transform the treatment landscape for individuals living with anxiety, depression, and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company's pipeline includes six clinical stage product candidates, including five investigational agents belonging to drugs known as pherines. Its product pipeline comprises PH94B, a fasedienol nasal spray, which is in Phase III development for the treatment of social anxiety disorder; and PH10, a Ituvone nasal spray which is in Phase II development for the treatment of major depressive disorder. In addition, the company is also developing PH15, an early-stage investigational synthetic neuroactive steroid for the treatment of cognition improvement; PH80, an odorless and tasteless synthetic investigational pherine for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes and migraine; PH284, an early-stage investigational synthetic neuroactive steroid for the treatment of wasting syndrome Cachexia; and AV-101, an oral nmdr glycine site antagonist for depression and neurological disorders. Further, it has a license and collaboration agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics Inc. to develop and commercialize to address ophthalmologic and CNS disorders. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
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