Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN – Get Free Report) and Principal Solar (OTCMKTS:PSWW – Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and valuation.
Volatility & Risk
Sunrun has a beta of 2.43, indicating that its stock price is 143% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Principal Solar has a beta of 0.11, indicating that its stock price is 89% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Sunrun and Principal Solar’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Sunrun | 15.22% | 11.72% | 2.08% |
| Principal Solar | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Earnings & Valuation
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Sunrun | $2.96 billion | 1.00 | $449.95 million | $1.71 | 7.37 |
| Principal Solar | N/A | N/A | -$400,000.00 | N/A | N/A |
Sunrun has higher revenue and earnings than Principal Solar.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
91.7% of Sunrun shares are held by institutional investors. 3.4% of Sunrun shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 39.2% of Principal Solar shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Sunrun and Principal Solar, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Sunrun | 1 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 2.57 |
| Principal Solar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Sunrun currently has a consensus target price of $19.58, suggesting a potential upside of 55.41%. Given Sunrun’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Sunrun is more favorable than Principal Solar.
Summary
Sunrun beats Principal Solar on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Sunrun
Sunrun Inc. designs, develops, installs, sells, owns, and maintains residential solar energy systems in the United States. It also sells solar energy systems and products, such as panels and racking; and solar leads generated to customers. In addition, the company offers battery storage along with solar energy systems; and sells services to commercial developers through multi-family and new homes. Its primary customers are residential homeowners. The company markets and sells its products through direct-to-consumer approach across online, retail, mass media, digital media, canvassing, field marketing, and referral channels, as well as its partner network. Sunrun Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
About Principal Solar
Principal Solar, Inc. does not have significant operations. It focuses on renewable energy and natural gas sectors. The company is headquartered in Dallas Texas.
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