Head-To-Head Survey: Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) and BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT)

Applied Visual Sciences (OTCMKTS:APVS) and BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and profitability.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

94.4% of BWX Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 33.0% of Applied Visual Sciences shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of BWX Technologies shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and BWX Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A
BWX Technologies	10.39%	30.26%	10.95%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Applied Visual Sciences and BWX Technologies, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Visual Sciences	0	0	0	0	0.00
BWX Technologies	1	2	5	1	2.67

BWX Technologies has a consensus price target of $137.94, indicating a potential downside of 3.46%. Given Applied Visual Sciences’ higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Applied Visual Sciences is more favorable than BWX Technologies.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Applied Visual Sciences and BWX Technologies”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Visual Sciences	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
BWX Technologies	$2.78 billion	4.69	$281.94 million	$3.14	45.51

BWX Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Applied Visual Sciences.

Summary

BWX Technologies beats Applied Visual Sciences on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Applied Visual Sciences

Applied Visual Sciences, Inc., a software technology company, designs and develops computer-vision detection solutions based on image processing science for aviation/homeland security and healthcare markets. It utilizes imaging technologies and analytics to create integrated information management technology products and services that address problems for corporations and governmental agencies. The company offers PinPoint, an intelligent computer-vision automated target recognition technology for the detection of guns, explosives, and other threat items contained in baggage in the airport environment or for building security applications; and Signature Mapping platform technology for use in the imaging field of diagnostic radiology and pathology. It also provides Signature Mapping Detection System, an automated hardware-software laboratory solution used to operate various infectious disease applications through multi-threaded detection algorithms. In addition, the company offers Signature Mapping Tuberculosis Detection software, an automated hardware and software technology platform; and Signature Mapping Breast Cancer Detection, a breast cancer detection solution. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. markets its products through direct sales and indirect distribution channels worldwide. The company was formerly known as Guardian Technologies International, Inc. and changed its name to Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. in July 2010. Applied Visual Sciences, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is based in Leesburg, Virginia.

About BWX Technologies

BWX Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Government Operations and Commercial Operations. The Government Operations segment designs and manufactures naval nuclear components, reactors, and nuclear fuel; fabrication activities; and supplies proprietary and sole-source valves, manifolds, and fittings to naval and commercial shipping customers. This segment also involved in manufacture of close-tolerance and equipment for nuclear applications; down blend government stockpiles of uranium; receives, stores, characterizes, dissolves, recovers, and purifies uranium-bearing materials; and supplies research reactor fuel elements for colleges, universities, and national laboratories, as well as components for defense applications. The Commercial Operations segment designs and manufactures commercial nuclear steam generators, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and reactor components; and other auxiliary equipment, including containers for the storage of nuclear fuel and other high-level nuclear waste. This segment also offers nuclear fuel, fuel handling systems, tooling delivery systems, nuclear grade materials, and precisely machined components, and related services for CANDU nuclear power plants; provides in-plant inspection, maintenance, and modification services, as well as non-destructive examination and tooling/repair solutions; and manufactures medical radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, and medical devices. The company was formerly known as The Babcock & Wilcox Company and changed its name to BWX Technologies, Inc. in June 2015. BWX Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia.