Western Copper & Gold (NYSE:WRN – Get Free Report) and American Lithium (OTCMKTS:LIACF – Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.
Profitability
This table compares Western Copper & Gold and American Lithium’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Western Copper & Gold | N/A | -3.95% | -3.83% |
| American Lithium | N/A | -16.28% | -15.96% |
Risk & Volatility
Western Copper & Gold has a beta of 1.84, indicating that its share price is 84% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Lithium has a beta of 1.48, indicating that its share price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation & Earnings
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Western Copper & Gold | N/A | N/A | -$2.47 million | ($0.03) | -38.00 |
| American Lithium | N/A | N/A | -$18.80 million | ($0.11) | -7.45 |
Western Copper & Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Lithium, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
22.0% of Western Copper & Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of American Lithium shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.6% of Western Copper & Gold shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Western Copper & Gold and American Lithium, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Western Copper & Gold | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.50 |
| American Lithium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Western Copper & Gold presently has a consensus price target of $4.25, indicating a potential upside of 272.81%. Given Western Copper & Gold’s higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Western Copper & Gold is more favorable than American Lithium.
Summary
Western Copper & Gold beats American Lithium on 10 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Western Copper & Gold
Western Copper and Gold Corporation, an exploration stage company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. Its principal property is the Casino mineral property that comprise 1,136 full and partial quartz claims, and 55 placer claims located in Yukon, Canada. The company was formerly known as Western Copper Corporation and changed its name to Western Copper and Gold Corporation in October 2011. Western Copper and Gold Corporation was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
About American Lithium
American Lithium Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the identification, acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties in the United States. It principally focuses on the TLC Claystones project covering an area of approximately 5,052 hectares located in the town of Tonopah, Nevada; and the Falchani Lithium project and the Macusani Uranium project located in Puno, Peru. The company was formerly known as Menika Mining Ltd. and changed its name to American Lithium Corp. in April 2016. American Lithium Corp. was incorporated in 1974 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
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