ESGL
ESGL Holdings Limited
Waste Management
Market Cap$21M
5Y Perf.+105.9%
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Stock Comparison
ESGL vs AQMS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AQMS
Aqua Metals, Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$16M
5Y Perf.-98.1%
ESGL vs AQMS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ESGL | AQMS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Waste Management | Waste Management |
| Market Cap | $21M | $16M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6M | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-633K | $-23M |
| Gross Margin | 93.0% | — |
| Operating Margin | -12.7% | — |
| Total Debt | $6M | $592K |
| Cash & Equiv. | $635K | $11M |
ESGL vs AQMS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ESGL
AQMS
| Stock | Aug 23 | Apr 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESGL Holdings Limit… (ESGL) | 100 | 205.9 | +105.9% |
| Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) | 100 | 1.9 | -98.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ESGL vs AQMS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ESGL 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.
ESGL
ESGL Holdings Limited
The Income Pick
ESGL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.42
- Rev growth -1.0%, EPS growth 98.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 15.5%
- -87.4% 10Y total return vs AQMS's -99.7%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
AQMS
Aqua Metals, Inc.
The Growth Leader
AQMS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth and quality.
- 7.6% revenue growth vs ESGL's -1.0%
- 1.2% margin vs ESGL's -10.4%
Best for: growth and quality
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AQMS | 7.6% revenue growth vs ESGL's -1.0% |
| Quality / Margins | AQMS | 1.2% margin vs ESGL's -10.4% |
| Stability / Safety | ESGL | Beta 0.42 vs AQMS's 2.30 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ESGL | +52.7% vs AQMS's -56.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ESGL | -2.5% ROA vs AQMS's -157.5%, ROIC -3.2% vs -166.7% |
ESGL vs AQMS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLESGLLAGGINGAQMS
AQMSAqua Metals, Inc.
0leads
ESGLESGL Holdings Limited
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs AQMSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ESGL1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ESGL6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ESGL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ESGL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ESGL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ESGL and AQMS operate at a comparable scale, with $6M and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6M | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | — | -$22M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | — | -$23M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | — | -$11M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +93.0% | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -12.7% | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -10.4% | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -84.1% | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.3% | +71.4% |
ESGL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — ESGL and AQMS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21M | $16M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $27M | $6M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -33.57x | -0.32x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.94x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.49x | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.45x | 0.49x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — ESGL and AQMS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESGL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESGL delivers a -5.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-6 in annual profit, vs $-3 for AQMS. AQMS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ESGL's 0.44x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ESGL scores 5/9 vs AQMS's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.6% | -2.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.5% | -157.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -3.2% | -166.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.7% | -139.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.44x | 0.04x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6M | -$10M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $634,882 | $11M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6M | $592,000 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.14x | -32.95x |
ESGL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ESGL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ESGL five years ago would be worth $3,152 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $96 for AQMS. Over the past 12 months, ESGL leads with a +52.7% total return vs AQMS's -56.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ESGL at -31.9% vs AQMS's -72.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -21.8% | -9.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +52.7% | -56.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -68.5% | -97.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -68.5% | -99.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.4% | -99.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -31.9% | -72.2% |
ESGL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ESGL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ESGL is the less volatile stock with a 0.42 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AQMS's 2.30 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ESGL currently trades 76.2% from its 52-week high vs AQMS's 12.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.42x | 2.30x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.32 | $39.40 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.71 | $3.37 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +76.2% | +12.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.4 | 59.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 83K | 44K |
ESGL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ESGLESGL Holdings Lim… | AQMSAqua Metals, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
ESGL leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallESGL Holdings Limited (ESGL)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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ESGL vs AQMS: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Which is the better long-term investment — ESGL or AQMS?
Over the past 5 years, ESGL Holdings Limited (ESGL) delivered a total return of -68.
5%, compared to -99. 0% for Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ESGL returned -87. 4% 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 — ESGL or AQMS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), ESGL Holdings Limited (ESGL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
42β versus Aqua Metals, Inc. 's 2. 30β — meaning AQMS is approximately 450% more volatile than ESGL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 44% for ESGL Holdings Limited — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
03Which is growing faster — ESGL or AQMS?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ESGL Holdings Limited grew EPS 98.
7% 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 — ESGL or AQMS?
Aqua Metals, Inc.
(AQMS) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -10. 4% for ESGL Holdings Limited — 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 -12. 7% for ESGL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ESGL leads at 93. 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 — ESGL or AQMS?
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 ESGL or AQMS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, ESGL Holdings Limited (ESGL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
42)). Aqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) carries a higher beta of 2. 30 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ESGL: -87. 4%, 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 ESGL and AQMS?
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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