Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (NASDAQ:CSSE) and alpha-En (NASDAQ:ALPE) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership and profitability.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
14.6% of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment shares are owned by institutional investors. 72.8% of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 57.7% of alpha-En shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Risk and Volatility
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has a beta of 1.67, meaning that its stock price is 67% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, alpha-En has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and alpha-En, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.80 |
| alpha-En | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment currently has a consensus target price of $27.67, indicating a potential upside of 43.28%. Given Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is more favorable than alpha-En.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and alpha-En’s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment | $55.36 million | 4.42 | -$31.67 million | ($1.13) | -17.09 |
| alpha-En | N/A | N/A | -$5.35 million | N/A | N/A |
alpha-En has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.
Profitability
This table compares Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and alpha-En’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment | -59.26% | -73.57% | -18.44% |
| alpha-En | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Summary
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment beats alpha-En on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Company Profile
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc., a media company, engages in the production and distribution of video content in the United States and internationally. It distributes and exhibits video-on-demand (VOD) content directly to consumers through digital platforms, such as smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and the web through its owned and operated advertising-supported online VOD networks; distributes its and third-party owned content to end users in various digital platforms through its subscription-based VOD network; and operates a series of direct-to consumer advertising supported channels. The company also distributes movies and television series to consumers through license agreements in various media, such as theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable, pay television, VOD, mobile, and new digital media platforms; and owns the copyright or long-term distribution rights to approximately 1,000 television series and feature films. In addition, it develops and produces television and short-form video content, including brand-related content. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Cos Cob, Connecticut. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul Productions, LLC.
alpha-En Company Profile
alpha-En Corporation, a development stage company, focuses on developing technologies for manufacturing lithium metal for use in lightweight and high energy density batteries; and battery components and compounds of lithium. The company was formerly known as Avenue Entertainment Group, Inc. and changed its name to alpha-En Corporation in July 2008. alpha-En Corporation was founded in 1969 and is based in Yonkers, New York.