United-Guardian (NASDAQ:UG – Get Free Report) and Lifecore Biomedical (NASDAQ:LFCR – Get Free Report) are both small-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations and earnings.
Profitability
This table compares United-Guardian and Lifecore Biomedical’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| United-Guardian | 22.01% | 22.24% | 19.12% |
| Lifecore Biomedical | -29.93% | N/A | -16.16% |
Volatility & Risk
United-Guardian has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lifecore Biomedical has a beta of 1.08, indicating that its share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| United-Guardian | $10.55 million | 3.17 | $2.11 million | $0.54 | 13.47 |
| Lifecore Biomedical | $128.87 million | 1.29 | -$40.50 million | ($1.07) | -4.12 |
United-Guardian has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Lifecore Biomedical. Lifecore Biomedical is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United-Guardian, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
23.2% of United-Guardian shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.4% of Lifecore Biomedical shares are owned by institutional investors. 29.0% of United-Guardian shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 32.7% of Lifecore Biomedical shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for United-Guardian and Lifecore Biomedical, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| United-Guardian | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Lifecore Biomedical | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
Lifecore Biomedical has a consensus target price of $6.50, suggesting a potential upside of 47.59%. Given Lifecore Biomedical’s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Lifecore Biomedical is more favorable than United-Guardian.
Summary
United-Guardian beats Lifecore Biomedical on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About United-Guardian
United-Guardian, Inc. manufactures and markets cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, medical lubricants, and proprietary specialty industrial products in the United States and internationally The company offers cosmetic ingredients, including LUBRAJEL, a line of water-based gel formulation for sensory enhancement, lubrication, and texture to personal care products; LUBRAJEL NATURAL for skin moisturizing; LUBRAJEL MARINE that develops natural products using naturally derived polymers; LUBRAJEL OlL NATURAL, which makes luxuriant textures without adding viscosity; LUBRAJEL TERRA, a multifunctional, moisturizing hydrogel products; LUBRASIL II SB, a formulation of LUBRAJEL; LUBRAJEL II XD; B-122, a powdered lubricant used in the manufacture of pressed powders, eyeliners, rouges, and industrial products; and ORCHID COMPLEX, an oil-soluble base for extract of fresh orchids used in fragrance products, such as perfumes and toiletries. Its medical lubricants comprise LUBRAJEL RR and RC, which are water-based lubricant gels for urinary catheters; LUBRAJEL MG to lubricate urinary catheters, pre-lubricated enema tips, and other medical devices; LUBRAJEL MGL, a medical lubricant with a lower viscosity medical lubricant; LUBRAJEL LC, LUBRAJEL BA, and LUBRAJEL FA, which are formulations for oral care; and LUBRAJEL FLUID to lubricate water-soluble products. The company's pharmaceutical products consist of RENACIDIN, a prescription drug to prevent and dissolve calcifications in urethral catheters and the urinary bladder; and CLORPACTIN WCS-90, an antimicrobial used in urology. Its industrial products include DESELEX, a sequestering and chelating agent used for manufacturing detergents; and THOROCLENS, a chlorine-based industrial cleanser. The company also conducts research and product development of cosmetic ingredients. The company was founded in 1942 and is based in Hauppauge, New York.
About Lifecore Biomedical
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization in the United States and internationally. The company engages in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (HA) in bulk form, as well as formulated and filled syringes and vials for injectable products used in treating a range of medical conditions and procedures. It also provides services, such as technology development, material component changes, analytical method development, formulation development, pilot studies, stability studies, process validation, and production of materials for clinical studies to its partners for HA-based and non-HA based aseptically formulated and filled products. The company was formerly known as Landec Corporation and changed its name to Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. in November 2022. Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Chaska, Minnesota.
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