American Defense Systems (OTCMKTS:ADFS) versus VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC) Critical Analysis
by Tristan Rich · The Markets DailyAmerican Defense Systems (OTCMKTS:ADFS – Get Free Report) and VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
91.5% of VSE shares are held by institutional investors. 19.3% of American Defense Systems shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of VSE shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares American Defense Systems and VSE”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| American Defense Systems | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VSE | $1.11 billion | 5.29 | $11.70 million | $3.12 | 67.19 |
VSE has higher revenue and earnings than American Defense Systems.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for American Defense Systems and VSE, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| American Defense Systems | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| VSE | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 2.83 |
VSE has a consensus price target of $252.22, indicating a potential upside of 20.32%. Given VSE’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe VSE is more favorable than American Defense Systems.
Profitability
This table compares American Defense Systems and VSE’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| American Defense Systems | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VSE | 6.17% | 6.71% | 4.76% |
Risk & Volatility
American Defense Systems has a beta of 10.92, indicating that its stock price is 992% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, VSE has a beta of 1.24, indicating that its stock price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
VSE beats American Defense Systems on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About American Defense Systems
American Defense Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design and supply of transparent and opaque armor solutions for military and commercial applications. It offers crew protection kits that provide armor protection of operator compartments; VistaSteel transparent armor, a laminated glass that provides defensive barrier to protect against firearms, physical attack, and explosive blasts; VistaSteel opaque armors; lightweight armor systems; and VistaGuard windows, which are forced entry blast resistant windows, window frames, and transparent armor assemblies used to mitigate forced entry, ballistic, and terrorist threats in high visibility targets. The company also provides portable transparent ballistic shield, a bullet-resistant transparent mobile shield; heated ballistic ship windows; and hardware products, such as hinges, rotary and slam latches, combat locks, and egress windows. Its armor solutions for construction equipment, and tactical and non-tactical transport vehicles are designed to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices. In addition, the company offers engineering and consulting services; and develops and installs detention and security hardware, entry control and monitoring systems, intrusion detection systems, and security glass. Its products are used in transport and fighting vehicles, construction equipment, sea craft, and various fixed structures, which require ballistic and blast attenuation. American Defense Systems, Inc. serves various branches of the United States military, including the United States Department of Defense; and other United States government, law enforcement, and correctional agencies, as well as private sector customers. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Lillington, North Carolina.
About VSE
VSE Corporation operates as a diversified aftermarket products and services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Aviation and Fleet. The Aviation segment provides aftermarket parts supply and distribution; maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for components and engine accessories supporting commercial, business, and general aviation operators. This segment serves commercial airlines, regional airlines, cargo transporters, MRO integrators and providers, aviation manufacturers, corporate and private aircraft owners, and fixed-base operators. The Fleet segment offers parts supply, inventory management, e-commerce fulfillment, logistics, supply chain support, and other services to support the commercial aftermarket medium- and heavy-duty truck market. This segment also provides sale of vehicle parts and supply chain services to support client truck fleets, as well as sustainment solutions and managed inventory services to government and commercial truck fleets. VSE Corporation was incorporated in 1959 and is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.