Critical Contrast: CompX International (CIX) vs. Its Competitors

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares CompX International and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
CompX International	$161.83 million	$22.59 million	16.69
CompX International Competitors	$2.43 billion	$140.15 million	24.14

CompX International’s rivals have higher revenue and earnings than CompX International. CompX International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares CompX International and its rivals’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
CompX International	12.48%	11.51%	10.52%
CompX International Competitors	-61.35%	-123.59%	-1.37%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

7.5% of CompX International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 39.6% of shares of all “Commercial Services & Supplies” companies are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of CompX International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.7% of shares of all “Commercial Services & Supplies” companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

CompX International pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. CompX International pays out 67.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, “Commercial Services & Supplies” companies pay a dividend yield of 2.5% and pay out 64.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. CompX International has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Risk & Volatility

CompX International has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its share price is 9% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CompX International’s rivals have a beta of 2.45, indicating that their average share price is 145% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

CompX International rivals beat CompX International on 7 of the 11 factors compared.

CompX International Company Profile

CompX International Inc. manufactures and sells security products and recreational marine components primarily in North America. It operates in two segments, Security Products and Marine Components. The Security Products segment manufactures mechanical and electrical cabinet locks, and other locking mechanisms used in various applications, including ignition systems, mailboxes, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, high security medical cabinetry, integrated inventory and access control secured narcotics boxes, electrical circuit panels, storage compartments, gas station security, and vending and cash containment machines. This segment serves recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare, and other industries. The Marine Components segment manufactures and distributes stainless steel exhaust headers, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and other exhaust components; gauges, such as GPS speedometers and tachometers; mechanical and electronic controls and throttles; wake enhancement systems, trim tabs, steering wheels, and billet aluminum accessories; dash panels, LED indicators, and wire harnesses; and grab handles, pin cleats, and related hardware and accessories primarily for ski/wakeboard and performance boats, as well as for the recreational marine and other industries. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, as well as through distributors. The company was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Dallas, Texas. CompX International Inc. operates as a subsidiary of NL Industries, Inc.