AMTX vs AVA

For growth investors, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the stronger pick with 1.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -22. 3% for Aemetis, Inc. (AMTX). Avista Corporation (AVA) offers the better valuation at 17. 1x trailing P/E (15. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Aemetis, Inc. (AMTX) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Avista Corporation (AVA) delivered a total return of +5.

6%, compared to -80. 5% for Aemetis, Inc. (AMTX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AVA returned +39. 6% versus AMTX's +12. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Avista Corporation (AVA) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

00β versus Aemetis, Inc. 's 1. 46β — meaning AMTX is approximately -48680% more volatile than AVA relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Avista Corporation (AVA) is pulling ahead at 1.

3% versus -22. 3% for Aemetis, Inc. (AMTX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Aemetis, Inc. grew EPS 33. 0% year-over-year, compared to 4. 4% for Avista Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, AVA leads at 4. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Avista Corporation (AVA) is the more profitable company, earning 9.

8% net margin versus -37. 0% for Aemetis, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AVA leads at 18. 0% versus -17. 9% for AMTX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AVA leads at 24. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AVA: 0.

2% to $40. 67.

In this comparison, AVA (4.

8% yield) pays a dividend. AMTX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Avista Corporation (AVA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.

00), 4. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AVA: +39. 6%, AMTX: +12. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (AMTX (Energy) and AVA (Utilities)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: AMTX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AVA is a small-cap deep-value stock. AVA pays a dividend while AMTX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.