Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR) vs. Westwater Resources (NASDAQ:WWR) Critical Comparison

Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR) and Westwater Resources (NASDAQ:WWR) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability.

Risk and Volatility

Lithium Argentina has a beta of 1.36, indicating that its stock price is 36% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Westwater Resources has a beta of 1.61, indicating that its stock price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Lithium Argentina and Westwater Resources’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Lithium Argentina	N/A	-1.37%	-1.08%
Westwater Resources	N/A	-5.89%	-5.50%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

49.2% of Lithium Argentina shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 7.7% of Westwater Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Argentina shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Westwater Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Lithium Argentina and Westwater Resources, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Lithium Argentina	0	1	1	0	2.50
Westwater Resources	0	0	1	0	3.00

Lithium Argentina currently has a consensus price target of $3.50, indicating a potential upside of 64.32%. Westwater Resources has a consensus price target of $2.50, indicating a potential upside of 344.76%. Given Westwater Resources’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Westwater Resources is more favorable than Lithium Argentina.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Lithium Argentina and Westwater Resources”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Lithium Argentina	N/A	N/A	$1.29 billion	($0.09)	-23.67
Westwater Resources	N/A	N/A	-$7.75 million	($0.21)	-2.68

Lithium Argentina is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Westwater Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Lithium Argentina beats Westwater Resources on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lithium Argentina

Lithium Argentina AG, a resource and materials company, focuses on advancing lithium projects in Argentina. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province; and the Pastos Grandes project located in Salta Province of Argentina. The company was formerly known as Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. and changed its name to Lithium Argentina AG in January 2025. Lithium Argentina AG was incorporated in 2007 is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

About Westwater Resources

Westwater Resources, Inc. operates as an energy technology company, focuses on developing battery-grade natural graphite materials. The company holds interests in Kellyton Graphite Plant located in Kellyton, Alabama; and Bama Mine Project situated in south Alabama. It holds interests in Coosa graphite project located in Coosa County, Alabama. The company was formerly known as Uranium Resources, Inc. and changed its name to Westwater Resources, Inc. in August 2017. Westwater Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado.