Comparing Xplore Technologies (XPLR) & Echelon (ELON)

Xplore Technologies (NASDAQ: XPLR) and Echelon (NASDAQ:ELON) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

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This table compares Xplore Technologies and Echelon’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Xplore Technologies	0.54%	3.73%	1.96%
Echelon	-15.15%	-21.24%	-15.49%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Xplore Technologies and Echelon’s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Xplore Technologies	$77.93 million	0.57	-$2.55 million	($0.23)	-17.61
Echelon	$31.67 million	1.19	-$4.62 million	($1.04)	-8.01

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

Risk and Volatility

Xplore Technologies has a beta of 0.72, indicating that its stock price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Echelon has a beta of -0.89, indicating that its stock price is 189% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

24.1% of Xplore Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.9% of Echelon shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.2% of Xplore Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.0% of Echelon shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Xplore Technologies and Echelon, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Xplore Technologies	0	0	2	0	3.00
Echelon	0	0	0	0	N/A

Xplore Technologies currently has a consensus target price of $4.93, suggesting a potential upside of 21.60%. Given Xplore Technologies’ higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Xplore Technologies is more favorable than Echelon.

Summary

Xplore Technologies beats Echelon on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Xplore Technologies

Xplore Technologies Corp. develops, integrates, and markets rugged mobile personal computer systems in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company's products enable the extension of traditional computing systems to a range of field personnel, including energy pipeline inspectors, public safety personnel, warehouse workers, and pharmaceutical scientists. It offers a line of iX104 tablet PCs that are designed to operate in various work environments, such as extreme temperatures, constant vibrations, rain, and blowing dirt and dusty conditions; and are fitted with a range of performance matched accessories comprising multiple docking station solutions, wireless connectivity alternatives, global positioning system modules, and biometric and smartcard modules, as well as traditional peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and cases. The company's products also consist of XSlate B10 and XSlate D10 rugged tablets; XSLATE R12 and Motion F5m/C5m tablets; and Bobcat, a rugged tablet that has a Windows operating system. It serves public safety, utility, telecommunications, field service, warehousing logistics, transportation, oil and gas production, manufacturing, route delivery, military, and homeland security markets. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

About Echelon

Echelon Corporation develops, markets, and sells embedded components, modules, edge servers, and software. The company offers chips, gateways, and design and management software to original equipment manufacturers under the LONWORKS and IzoT brands. It also provides a range of control networking solutions under the LumInsight and Lumewave by Echelon brands that consist of wired and wireless control nodes; smart gateways for interconnecting the control nodes; and a software-based Central Management System, which is used for startup, commissioning, management, and monitoring of the lighting network. The company markets its products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific/Japan through direct sales organization, third-party electronics representatives, value-added resellers, and distributors. Echelon Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.