Phio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:PHIO) and Relmada Therapeutics (NASDAQ:RLMD) Critical Analysis
by Teresa Graham · The Cerbat GemPhio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:PHIO – Get Free Report) and Relmada Therapeutics (NASDAQ:RLMD – Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, institutional ownership and valuation.
Volatility & Risk
Phio Pharmaceuticals has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Relmada Therapeutics has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
57.3% of Phio Pharmaceuticals shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.2% of Relmada Therapeutics shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Phio Pharmaceuticals shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Relmada Therapeutics shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares Phio Pharmaceuticals and Relmada Therapeutics”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Phio Pharmaceuticals | N/A | N/A | -$8.70 million | ($1.38) | -0.82 |
| Relmada Therapeutics | N/A | N/A | -$57.38 million | ($1.45) | -5.17 |
Relmada Therapeutics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Phio Pharmaceuticals, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares Phio Pharmaceuticals and Relmada Therapeutics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Phio Pharmaceuticals | N/A | -77.34% | -70.87% |
| Relmada Therapeutics | N/A | -157.81% | -135.88% |
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Phio Pharmaceuticals and Relmada Therapeutics, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Phio Pharmaceuticals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Relmada Therapeutics | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2.71 |
Phio Pharmaceuticals currently has a consensus price target of $14.00, suggesting a potential upside of 1,138.94%. Relmada Therapeutics has a consensus price target of $12.00, suggesting a potential upside of 60.21%. Given Phio Pharmaceuticals’ higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Phio Pharmaceuticals is more favorable than Relmada Therapeutics.
Summary
Phio Pharmaceuticals beats Relmada Therapeutics on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Phio Pharmaceuticals
Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. engages in the development of immuno-oncology therapeutics in the United States. The company is developing PH-762, an INTASYL compound in Phase 1b dose-escalating clinical trials to reduce the expression of cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a protein that inhibits T cells’ ability to kill cancer cells; and PH-762 treated double positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, which is in Phase 1 clinical trials to treat advanced melanoma and other advanced solid tumors. It is also developing PH-894, an INTASYL compound in IND enabling studies to silence BRD4, a protein that controls gene expression in both T cells and tumor cells, effecting the immune system and the tumor. The company was formerly known as RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation and changed its name to Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. in November 2018. Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
About Relmada Therapeutics
Relmada Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on developing various products for the treatment of central nervous system diseases (CNS) and other disorders in the United States. Its lead product candidate is Esmethadone (d-methadone, dextromethadone, and REL-1017), a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist which is in phase 3 clinical trial for the adjunctive or monotherapy treatment of major depressive disorder. The company is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.