World Access (OTCMKTS:WAXS) versus ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) Head to Head Review

ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) and World Access (OTCMKTS:WAXS) are both industrial products companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, dividends, earnings and risk.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares ESCO Technologies and World Access”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
ESCO Technologies	$1.06 billion	3.84	$101.88 million	$4.26	36.85
World Access	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

ESCO Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than World Access.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

95.7% of ESCO Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of ESCO Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.4% of World Access 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.

Profitability

This table compares ESCO Technologies and World Access’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
ESCO Technologies	10.44%	9.91%	6.63%
World Access	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for ESCO Technologies and World Access, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
ESCO Technologies	0	0	2	0	3.00
World Access	0	0	0	0	0.00

ESCO Technologies currently has a consensus target price of $182.50, suggesting a potential upside of 16.24%. Given ESCO Technologies’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe ESCO Technologies is more favorable than World Access.

Summary

ESCO Technologies beats World Access on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About ESCO Technologies

ESCO Technologies Inc. produces and supplies engineered products and systems for industrial and commercial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Defense, Utility Solutions Group, and RF Test & Measurement. The Aerospace & Defense segment designs and manufactures filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications; filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites; and custom designed filters for manned aircraft and submarines. It also designs, develops, and manufactures elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions for U.S. naval vessels; and mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves, and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads, engine mounts, flight controls, and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industries. The Utility Solutions Group segment provides diagnostic testing solutions that enable electric power grid operators to assess the integrity of high-voltage power delivery equipment; and decision support tools for the renewable energy industry, primarily wind and solar. The RF Test & Measurement segment designs and manufactures RF test and secure communication facilities, acoustic test enclosures, RF and magnetically shielded rooms, RF measurement systems, and broadcast and recording studios; and RF absorptive materials, filters, antennas, field probes, test cells, proprietary measurement software, and other test accessories to perform various tests. The company distributes its products through a network of distributors, sales representatives, direct sales teams, and in-house sales personnel. The company was incorporated in 1990 and is based in Saint Louis, Missouri.

About World Access

World Access, Inc. operates as a global services company providing solutions in customer care to organizations in the travel, financial, health care, and call center industries. It consists of three full service companies and three specialized services companies. World Access Service Corporation serves companies located in the US and companies that have travelers or employees visiting North America. World Access Canada serves companies located in Canada; and World Access Asia serves companies located in eastern Asia, including Japan. World Access Europe provides members of World Access with logistical and medical support throughout the region. Other companies include World Access Provider Network Services; and World Access Transport Services that manages and coordinates all medical evacuation and repatriation activities for World Access. The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia. In April 2001, the company filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court on behalf of itself and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries.