Critical Analysis: Sintx Technologies (NASDAQ:SINT) & Nephros (NASDAQ:NEPH)

Nephros (NASDAQ:NEPH) and Sintx Technologies (NASDAQ:SINT) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

41.1% of Nephros shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 18.4% of Sintx Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 4.1% of Nephros shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Sintx Technologies shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Nephros and Sintx Technologies”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Nephros	$13.55 million	1.14	-$1.58 million	($0.09)	-16.22
Sintx Technologies	$1.64 million	4.47	-$8.26 million	($50.56)	-0.11

Nephros has higher revenue and earnings than Sintx Technologies. Nephros is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sintx Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Nephros and Sintx Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Nephros	0	0	1	0	3.00
Sintx Technologies	0	0	0	0	0.00

Nephros currently has a consensus target price of $5.00, indicating a potential upside of 242.47%. Given Nephros’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Nephros is more favorable than Sintx Technologies.

Profitability

This table compares Nephros and Sintx Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Nephros	-6.86%	-11.39%	-8.30%
Sintx Technologies	-358.79%	-140.68%	-78.29%

Volatility and Risk

Nephros has a beta of 1.19, indicating that its share price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sintx Technologies has a beta of 1.51, indicating that its share price is 51% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Nephros beats Sintx Technologies on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nephros

Nephros, Inc., a commercial-stage company, develops and sells water solutions to the medical and commercial markets in the United States. It offers ultrafiltration products that are used in dialysis centers for the removal of biological contaminants from water and bicarbonate concentrate; and in hospitals for the prevention of infection from waterborne pathogens, such as legionella and pseudomonas, as well as in military and outdoor recreation, commercial, and other healthcare facilities. The company also manufactures and sells water filters that enhance the taste and odor of water, as well as reduce biofilm, cysts, particulates, and scale build-up in downstream equipment. It markets its products to food service, hospitality, convenience store, and health care markets, as well as medical institutions. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in South Orange, New Jersey.

About Sintx Technologies

Sintx Technologies, Inc., an advanced ceramics company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of medical devices manufactured with silicon nitride for biomedical, technical, and antipathogenic applications in the United States. It provides solid and porous silicon nitride; silicon nitrite powder; and silicon nitride coating products, as well as silicon nitride composite materials, polyetheretherketone, and polyetherketoneketone. The company was formerly known as Amedica Corporation. Sintx Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.