Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) (OTCMKTS:ULTRF) versus Heidmar Maritime (NASDAQ:HMR) Critical Review

Heidmar Maritime (NASDAQ:HMR) and Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) (OTCMKTS:ULTRF) are both transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Heidmar Maritime and Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Heidmar Maritime	-40.20%	-23.13%	-5.67%
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Heidmar Maritime and Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Heidmar Maritime	$55.85 million	0.86	-$22.56 million	($0.39)	-2.11
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Heidmar Maritime.

Risk & Volatility

Heidmar Maritime has a beta of -2.36, meaning that its share price is 336% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) has a beta of -0.79, meaning that its share price is 179% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Heidmar Maritime and Ultrapetrol (Bahamas), as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Heidmar Maritime	2	0	1	0	1.67
Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)	0	0	0	0	0.00

Heidmar Maritime currently has a consensus target price of $3.00, indicating a potential upside of 264.52%. Given Heidmar Maritime’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Heidmar Maritime is more favorable than Ultrapetrol (Bahamas).

About Heidmar Maritime

Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp. provides commercial and pool management services to the dry bulk, crude oil, and refined petroleum product tanker markets worldwide. It offers tanker pool and commercial management, dry bulk pool and commercial management, and fuel services. The company also operates a platform to invest in tanker or drybulk vessels offering a range of customized services for the investor, as well as engages in the sale and purchase of second-hand vessels and newbuilds in the tanker and drybulk sectors. In addition, it develops and operates eFleetWatch, a digital platform in the commercial management space, which provides pool partners with access to the data that they require for their own reporting and monitoring of their vessels. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Piraeus, Greece.

About Ultrapetrol (Bahamas)

Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited, an industrial shipping company, provides marine transportation services in South America, Europe, Central America, North America, and Asia. The company operates in three segments: River Business, Offshore Supply Business, and Ocean Business. The River Business segment owns and operates dry and tanker barges, and push boats in the Hidrovia region of South America. Its dry barges transport agricultural and forestry products, iron ore, and other cargoes; and tanker barges carry petroleum products, vegetable oils, and other liquids. As of December 31, 2015, this segment had 681 barges with approximately 1.3 million dwt capacity; and 34 push boats. The Offshore Supply Business segment owns and operates vessels that provide logistical and transportation services for offshore petroleum exploration and production companies. It transports supplies, such as containerized equipment, drill casings, pipes, and heavy loads; fuel, water, drilling fluids, and bulk cement; and various other supplies to drilling rigs and platforms. This segment's fleet consisted of 13 platform supply vessels and 1 remotely operated vehicle. The Ocean Business segment owns and operates oceangoing vessels, which transports petroleum products, as well as a container line service in the Argentine cabotage trade. The company serves petroleum, agricultural, and mining companies. Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Nassau, the Bahamas. Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited is a subsidiary of Sparrow Capital Investments Ltd.