Analyzing Bolt Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:BOLT) & Applied Dna Sciences (NASDAQ:BNBX)

Applied Dna Sciences (NASDAQ:BNBX) and Bolt Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:BOLT) are both small-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership and dividends.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

22.2% of Applied Dna Sciences shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.7% of Bolt Biotherapeutics shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.1% of Applied Dna Sciences shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.4% of Bolt Biotherapeutics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk & Volatility

Applied Dna Sciences has a beta of 0.63, suggesting that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bolt Biotherapeutics has a beta of 1, suggesting that its share price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Applied Dna Sciences and Bolt Biotherapeutics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Dna Sciences	-1,647.25%	-349.95%	-283.96%
Bolt Biotherapeutics	-611.47%	-126.23%	-54.70%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Applied Dna Sciences and Bolt Biotherapeutics, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Dna Sciences	1	0	0	0	1.00
Bolt Biotherapeutics	1	1	2	0	2.25

Bolt Biotherapeutics has a consensus price target of $14.50, indicating a potential upside of 238.79%. Given Bolt Biotherapeutics’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Bolt Biotherapeutics is more favorable than Applied Dna Sciences.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Applied Dna Sciences and Bolt Biotherapeutics”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Dna Sciences	$2.09 million	0.38	-$15.16 million	($3.33)	-0.04
Bolt Biotherapeutics	$7.70 million	1.07	-$33.38 million	($16.44)	-0.26

Applied Dna Sciences has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Bolt Biotherapeutics. Bolt Biotherapeutics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Applied Dna Sciences, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Bolt Biotherapeutics beats Applied Dna Sciences on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Applied Dna Sciences

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. develops and markets DNA-based technology solutions for use in the nucleic acid-based in vitro diagnostics and preclinical nucleic-acid based drug development and manufacturing markets; and for supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting, and anti-theft technology purposes. The company’s supply chain security and product authentication solutions include SigNature molecular tags that provide forensic power and protection for various applications used to fortify brand protection efforts and strengthen supply chain security, as well as mark, track, and convict criminals; SigNify IF portable DNA readers and SigNify consumable reagent test kits that provide real-time authentication of molecular tags in the field; and CertainT, which indicates the use of tagging, testing, and tracking platforms and solutions enabling manufacturers, brands, and trade organizations to convey proof of their product claims. It also manufactures and sells COVID-19 PCR-based molecular diagnostic test kit under the LineaTM COVID-19 Assay Kit trademark; and COVID-19 diagnostic test kit to prevent virus spread within a community, school, or workplace under the safeCircle trademark. In addition, the company provides preclinical contract research and manufacturing services for the nucleic acid-based therapeutic markets; and contract research services to RNA based drug and biologic customers for preclinical studies. Further, it develops an invasive circulating tumor cell capture and identification technology that uses a patented functional assay to capture live invasive circulating tumor cell and associated lymphocytes. The company operates in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Datalink Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. in 2002. Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Stony Brook, New York.

About Bolt Biotherapeutics

Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development of immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. The company’s lead product candidate BDC-1001, which is in clinical development for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- positive solid tumors, including breast, colorectal, endometrial, and gastroesophageal cancer. It is also developing BDC-3042, an agonist antibody targeting Dectin-2 for range of tumors, such as head and neck, non-small cell lung, ovarian, triple-negative breast, and other cancer. The company has collaboration agreements with Toray Industries, Genmab A/S, Innovent Biologics, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; and license agreement with Stanford University. The company was formerly known as Bolt Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc. in July 2015. Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.