Montanaro European Smaller (MTE) Competitors

Montanaro European Smaller (LON:MTE) and Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust (LON:ASL) are both small-cap financial services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, media sentiment, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends.

Which has more volatility and risk, MTE or ASL?

Montanaro European Smaller has a beta of 1.17, indicating that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the media prefer MTE or ASL?

In the previous week, Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust had 1 more articles in the media than Montanaro European Smaller. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust and 0 mentions for Montanaro European Smaller. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust's average media sentiment score of 1.66 beat Montanaro European Smaller's score of 0.59 indicating that Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Overall Sentiment
Montanaro European Smaller	Positive
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust	Very Positive

Is MTE or ASL more profitable?

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust has a net margin of 112.81% compared to Montanaro European Smaller's net margin of 92.90%. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust's return on equity of 18.22% beat Montanaro European Smaller's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Montanaro European Smaller	92.90%	16.87%	2.99%
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust	112.81%	18.22%	11.67%

Do institutionals & insiders believe in MTE or ASL?

21.1% of Montanaro European Smaller shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.3% of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Montanaro European Smaller shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.4% of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Which has higher earnings and valuation, MTE or ASL?

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Montanaro European Smaller. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Montanaro European Smaller, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Montanaro European Smaller	£57.06M	5.74	£53.01M	£27.52	6.26
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust	£226.05M	5.71	£255.01M	£304.31	5.08

Is MTE or ASL a better dividend stock?

Montanaro European Smaller pays an annual dividend of GBX 1 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust pays an annual dividend of GBX 42 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Montanaro European Smaller pays out 3.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust pays out 13.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Summary

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust beats Montanaro European Smaller on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.