Magal Security Systems (NASDAQ:MAGS) and ESCO Technologies (NYSE:ESE) are both small-cap industrial products companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and risk.
Risk & Volatility
Magal Security Systems has a beta of 1.12, suggesting that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ESCO Technologies has a beta of 1.02, suggesting that its stock price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
17.1% of Magal Security Systems shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.7% of ESCO Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 24.4% of Magal Security Systems shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of ESCO Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Dividends
ESCO Technologies pays an annual dividend of…
