Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) Competitors

Fidus Investment (NASDAQ:FDUS) and Horizon Technology Finance (NASDAQ:HRZN) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, dividends, media sentiment, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and risk.

Which has more volatility & risk, FDUS or HRZN?

Fidus Investment has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Horizon Technology Finance has a beta of 0.99, indicating that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the media refer more to FDUS or HRZN?

In the previous week, Fidus Investment and Fidus Investment both had 3 articles in the media. Fidus Investment's average media sentiment score of 1.72 beat Horizon Technology Finance's score of 0.89 indicating that Fidus Investment is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Fidus Investment	2 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Very Positive
Horizon Technology Finance	0 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	1 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Do insiders & institutionals have more ownership in FDUS or HRZN?

28.1% of Fidus Investment shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 4.9% of Horizon Technology Finance shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Fidus Investment shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Horizon Technology Finance shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Which has better earnings and valuation, FDUS or HRZN?

Fidus Investment has higher revenue and earnings than Horizon Technology Finance. Horizon Technology Finance is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fidus Investment, 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
Fidus Investment	$146.15M	5.04	$78.29M	$2.34	9.06
Horizon Technology Finance	$99.92M	3.34	-$5.63M	-$0.91	-9.10

Is FDUS or HRZN a better dividend stock?

Fidus Investment pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.1%. Horizon Technology Finance pays an annual dividend of $1.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.9%. Fidus Investment pays out 73.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Horizon Technology Finance pays out -145.1% 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. Horizon Technology Finance is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Is FDUS or HRZN more profitable?

Fidus Investment has a net margin of 52.59% compared to Horizon Technology Finance's net margin of -36.34%. Horizon Technology Finance's return on equity of 13.98% beat Fidus Investment's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Fidus Investment	52.59%	11.48%	6.43%
Horizon Technology Finance	-36.34%	13.98%	5.75%

Do analysts recommend FDUS or HRZN?

Fidus Investment currently has a consensus target price of $21.00, suggesting a potential downside of 0.99%. Horizon Technology Finance has a consensus target price of $8.45, suggesting a potential upside of 2.05%. Given Horizon Technology Finance's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Horizon Technology Finance is more favorable than Fidus Investment.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Fidus Investment	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.33
Horizon Technology Finance	2 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	1.80

Summary

Fidus Investment beats Horizon Technology Finance on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.