Head-To-Head Analysis: SeaStar Medical (NASDAQ:ICU) versus OrthoPediatrics (NASDAQ:KIDS)

OrthoPediatrics (NASDAQ:KIDS) and SeaStar Medical (NASDAQ:ICU) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, earnings and valuation.

Risk & Volatility

OrthoPediatrics has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its stock price is 14% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SeaStar Medical has a beta of -1.02, suggesting that its stock price is 202% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares OrthoPediatrics and SeaStar Medical’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
OrthoPediatrics	-15.00%	-5.78%	-4.80%
SeaStar Medical	N/A	N/A	-627.49%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

69.1% of OrthoPediatrics shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 1.7% of SeaStar Medical shares are owned by institutional investors. 31.8% of OrthoPediatrics shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.1% of SeaStar Medical shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares OrthoPediatrics and SeaStar Medical”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
OrthoPediatrics	$148.73 million	4.01	-$20.97 million	($1.23)	-20.02
SeaStar Medical	N/A	N/A	-$26.23 million	($11.63)	-0.15

OrthoPediatrics has higher revenue and earnings than SeaStar Medical. OrthoPediatrics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SeaStar Medical, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for OrthoPediatrics and SeaStar Medical, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
OrthoPediatrics	0	1	2	0	2.67
SeaStar Medical	0	0	0	0	0.00

OrthoPediatrics presently has a consensus target price of $39.00, suggesting a potential upside of 58.41%. Given OrthoPediatrics’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe OrthoPediatrics is more favorable than SeaStar Medical.

Summary

OrthoPediatrics beats SeaStar Medical on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About OrthoPediatrics

OrthoPediatrics Corp., a medical device company, engages in designing, developing, and marketing anatomically appropriate implants, instruments, and specialized braces for children with orthopedic conditions in the United States and internationally. The company offers pediatric trauma and deformity correction products; scoliosis procedures for the treatment of spinal deformity; and sports medicine and other products. Its products comprise PediLoc, PediPlates, cannulated screws, PediFlex nail, PediNail, PediLoc Tibia, ACL Reconstruction System, Locking Cannulated Blade, Locking Proximal Femur, Spica Tables, RESPONSE Spine, BandLoc, Pediguard, Pediatric Nailing Platform | Femur, Devise Rail, Orthex, The Fassier-Duval Telescopic Intramedullary System, SLIMTM Nail, The GAP Nail, The Free Gliding SCFE Screw System, GIROTM Growth Modulation System, PNP Tibia System, ApiFix Mid-C System, and Mitchell Ponseti. The company serves pediatric orthopedic market, as well as pediatric orthopedic surgeons and caregivers. OrthoPediatrics Corp. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.

About SeaStar Medical

SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation, a medical device company, develops a platform therapy to reduce the consequences of hyperinflammation on vital organs in the United States. The company offers inflammatory response to fend off infections and repair damaged tissue in the body. It is also developing products in various therapeutic areas, including pediatric and adult acute kidney injury on CRRT; cardiorenal syndrome in congestive heart failure; myocardial stunning in end stage renal disease; and hepatorenal syndrome. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.