Financial Comparison: Yara International ASA (OTCMKTS:YARIY) & Kuraray (OTCMKTS:KURRY)

Kuraray (OTCMKTS:KURRY) and Yara International ASA (OTCMKTS:YARIY) are both materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.0% of Yara International ASA shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Kuraray and Yara International ASA’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Kuraray	0.92%	5.37%	3.08%
Yara International ASA	9.11%	16.77%	8.53%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Kuraray and Yara International ASA, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Kuraray	1	0	0	0	1.00
Yara International ASA	2	3	0	2	2.29

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Kuraray and Yara International ASA”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Kuraray	$5.41 billion	0.61	$50.04 million	$0.53	62.16
Yara International ASA	$15.71 billion	0.70	$1.37 billion	$3.01	7.18

Yara International ASA has higher revenue and earnings than Kuraray. Yara International ASA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kuraray, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

Kuraray has a beta of 0.03, meaning that its share price is 97% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Yara International ASA has a beta of 0.61, meaning that its share price is 39% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Kuraray pays an annual dividend of $0.85 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Yara International ASA pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Kuraray pays out 160.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Yara International ASA pays out 27.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Yara International ASA is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Yara International ASA beats Kuraray on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Kuraray

Kuraray Co., Ltd. engages in the production and sale of resins, chemicals, fibers, activated carbon, and high-performance membranes and systems worldwide. The Vinyl Acetate segment manufactures and markets functional resins and films, including PVA, PVB and EVAL. The Isoprene segment engages in the manufacture and marketing of SEPTON thermoplastic elastomer, isoprene-related products, and GENESTAR. The Functional Materials segment manufactures and markets methacrylic resin, medical products, and carbon materials. The Fibers and Textiles segment manufactures and sells synthetic fibers and textiles, CLARINO manmade leather, non-woven fabrics, and other products. The Trading segment mainly processes and sells synthetic fibers and manmade leathers. It is also involved in the engineering business; design and construction of various plants; outsourcing of logistics services; temporary staffing/introduction business; design, manufacture, construction, and sale of water treatment equipment; travel and insurance agency business; golf course management; management of accommodation facilities and restaurants; manufacture and sale of hook-and loop fasteners and related products; manufacture and sale of dental materials; warehousing and logistics; and manufacturing and sales of methacrylic resin sheets, as well as provides consulting services. The company was incorporated in 1926 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About Yara International ASA

Yara International ASA provides crop nutrition and industrial solutions in Norway, European Union, Europe, Africa, Asia, North and Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. The company offers ammonium- and urea-based fertilizers; compound fertilizers that contain nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; coatings; biostimulants; organic-based fertilizers; green fertilizers are nitrate-based mineral fertilizers, as well as foliar and fertigation solutions; and nitrate, calcium nitrate, micronutrient, and fertigation and urea fertilizers. It also offers digital solutions, such as variable rate application solutions; N-Sensor, a tractor-mounted hardware; N-Tester, a handheld nitrogen measurement tool; YaraFX Insight, an agricultural API; and Atfarm, a digital toolbox for farmer. The company sells its products under YaraBela, YaraMila, YaraLiva, YaraVita, YaraRega, YaraTera, YaraSuna, and YaraVera and brands. Yara International ASA was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.