AQMS
Aqua Metals, Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$17M
5Y Perf.-96.9%
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Stock Comparison
AQMS vs CHNR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CHNR
China Natural Resources, Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$42M
5Y Perf.-86.7%
AQMS vs CHNR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | AQMS | CHNR |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Waste Management | Waste Management |
| Market Cap | $17M | $42M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-23M | $-14M |
| Total Debt | $592K | $0.00 |
| Cash & Equiv. | $11M | $3M |
AQMS vs CHNR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
AQMS
CHNR
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) | 100 | 3.1 | -96.9% |
| China Natural Resou… (CHNR) | 100 | 13.3 | -86.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AQMS vs CHNR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CHNR leads in 3 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for capital preservation and lower volatility and recent price momentum and sentiment. Aqua Metals, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
AQMS
Aqua Metals, Inc.
The Growth Leader
AQMS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth and quality.
- 7.6% revenue growth vs CHNR's -100.0%
- 1.2% margin vs CHNR's 0.0%
Best for: growth and quality
CHNR
China Natural Resources, Inc.
The Income Pick
CHNR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.12
- Rev growth -100.0%, EPS growth 95.9%
- -93.5% 10Y total return vs AQMS's -99.7%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AQMS | 7.6% revenue growth vs CHNR's -100.0% |
| Quality / Margins | AQMS | 1.2% margin vs CHNR's 0.0% |
| Stability / Safety | CHNR | Beta 1.12 vs AQMS's 2.26 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | CHNR | -2.3% vs AQMS's -51.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CHNR | -5.3% ROA vs AQMS's -157.5%, ROIC -0.0% vs -166.7% |
AQMS vs CHNR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCHNRLAGGINGAQMS
AQMSAqua Metals, Inc.
0leads
CHNRChina Natural Resourc…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs AQMSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CHNR1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CHNR5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CHNR6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CHNR2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHNR leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AQMS and CHNR operate at a comparable scale, with $0 and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$22M | -$12M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$23M | -$14M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$11M | -$6M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +71.4% | +91.3% |
CHNR leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — AQMS and CHNR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $17M | $42M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7M | $41M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.34x | -88.68x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.52x | 3.21x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — AQMS and CHNR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHNR leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHNR delivers a -15.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-16 in annual profit, vs $-3 for AQMS. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AQMS scores 3/9 vs CHNR's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.5% | -15.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -157.5% | -5.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -166.7% | -0.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -139.5% | -0.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$10M | -$3M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $11M | $3M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $592,000 | $0 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -32.95x | -263.29x |
CHNR leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CHNR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CHNR five years ago would be worth $721 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $93 for AQMS. Over the past 12 months, CHNR leads with a -2.3% total return vs AQMS's -51.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CHNR at -41.2% vs AQMS's -71.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -3.6% | +22.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -51.5% | -2.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -97.7% | -79.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.1% | -92.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.7% | -93.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -71.6% | -41.2% |
CHNR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHNR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHNR is the less volatile stock with a 1.12 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AQMS's 2.26 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CHNR currently trades 52.4% from its 52-week high vs AQMS's 13.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.26x | 1.12x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $39.40 | $8.20 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.37 | $3.16 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +13.0% | +52.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.9 | 55.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 43K | 893K |
CHNR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. | CHNRChina Natural Res… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
CHNR leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallChina Natural Resources, In… (CHNR)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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AQMS vs CHNR: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Which is the better long-term investment — AQMS or CHNR?
Over the past 5 years, China Natural Resources, Inc.
(CHNR) delivered a total return of -92. 8%, compared to -99. 1% for Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CHNR returned -93. 5% versus AQMS's -99. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
02Which is safer — AQMS or CHNR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), China Natural Resources, Inc.
(CHNR) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 12β versus Aqua Metals, Inc. 's 2. 26β — meaning AQMS is approximately 102% more volatile than CHNR relative to the S&P 500.
03Which is growing faster — AQMS or CHNR?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: China Natural Resources, Inc.
grew EPS 95. 9% year-over-year, compared to 60. 4% for Aqua Metals, Inc.. 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.
04Which has better profit margins — AQMS or CHNR?
Aqua Metals, Inc.
(AQMS) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus 0. 0% for China Natural Resources, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AQMS leads at 0. 0% versus 0. 0% for CHNR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AQMS leads at 0. 0%, 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.
05Which pays a better dividend — AQMS or CHNR?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
06Is AQMS or CHNR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, China Natural Resources, Inc.
(CHNR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 12)). Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) carries a higher beta of 2. 26 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHNR: -93. 5%, AQMS: -99. 7%), 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.
07What are the main differences between AQMS and CHNR?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
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