Standard Lithium (NYSE:SLI – Get Free Report) and Ecovyst (NYSE:ECVT – Get Free Report) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends.
Volatility and Risk
Standard Lithium has a beta of 1.79, indicating that its stock price is 79% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ecovyst has a beta of 1.01, indicating that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
16.8% of Standard Lithium shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.7% of Ecovyst shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.7% of Standard Lithium shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.6% of Ecovyst shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Standard Lithium | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 |
| Ecovyst | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3.00 |
Standard Lithium currently has a consensus target price of $3.50, suggesting a potential upside of 62.04%. Ecovyst has a consensus target price of $10.50, suggesting a potential upside of 27.27%. Given Standard Lithium’s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Standard Lithium is more favorable than Ecovyst.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Standard Lithium and Ecovyst”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Standard Lithium | N/A | N/A | $108.82 million | $0.58 | 3.72 |
| Ecovyst | $691.10 million | 1.39 | $71.15 million | $0.46 | 17.94 |
Standard Lithium has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Ecovyst. Standard Lithium is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ecovyst, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Standard Lithium and Ecovyst’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Standard Lithium | N/A | -15.67% | -14.05% |
| Ecovyst | 7.74% | 7.07% | 2.76% |
Summary
Ecovyst beats Standard Lithium on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Standard Lithium
Standard Lithium Ltd. explores for, develops, and processes lithium brine properties in the United States. Its flagship project is the Lanxess project with area of approximately 150,000 acres located in southern Arkansas. The company was formerly known as Patriot Petroleum Corp. and changed its name to Standard Lithium Ltd. in December 2016. Standard Lithium Ltd. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
About Ecovyst
Ecovyst Inc. offers specialty catalysts and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Ecoservices and Advanced Materials & Catalysts. The Ecoservices segment provides sulfuric acid recycling services and end-to-end logistics for production of alkylate for refineries; and virgin sulfuric acid for mining, water treatment, and industrial applications. The Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment offers advanced materials and specialty catalyst products and process solutions to producers and licensors of polyethylene and advanced silicas. This segment also supplies specialty zeolites and zeolite-based catalysts to customers for refining of oil primarily hydrocracking catalyst and dewaxing, sustainable fuels, and emission control systems for both on-road and non-road diesel engines. The company was formerly known as PQ Group Holdings Inc. and changed its name to Ecovyst Inc. in August 2021. Ecovyst Inc. was founded in 1831 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
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