Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls
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LIQT vs PESI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Waste Management
LIQT vs PESI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls | Waste Management |
| Market Cap | $21M | $218M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $17M | $62M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-9M | $-14M |
| Gross Margin | 4.9% | 9.6% |
| Operating Margin | -50.0% | -19.0% |
| Total Debt | $12M | $4M |
| Cash & Equiv. | — | $12M |
LIQT vs PESI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiqTech Internation… (LIQT) | 100 | 4.4 | -95.6% |
| Perma-Fix Environme… (PESI) | 100 | 210.7 | +110.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LIQT vs PESI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LIQT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.52
- Rev growth 13.0%, EPS growth 45.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.52
PESI is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 200.4% 10Y total return vs LIQT's -91.3%
- -22.3% margin vs LIQT's -53.3%
- -15.2% ROA vs LIQT's -29.5%, ROIC -21.7% vs -31.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.0% revenue growth vs PESI's 4.3% | |
| Quality / Margins | -22.3% margin vs LIQT's -53.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.52 vs PESI's 1.85 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +56.5% vs PESI's +34.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -15.2% ROA vs LIQT's -29.5%, ROIC -21.7% vs -31.1% |
LIQT vs PESI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
LIQT vs PESI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PESI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PESI is the larger business by revenue, generating $62M annually — 3.7x LIQT's $17M. PESI is the more profitable business, keeping -22.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LIQT's -53.3%. On growth, LIQT holds the edge at +53.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $17M | $62M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$6M | -$10M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$9M | -$14M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$7M | -$16M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +4.9% | +9.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -50.0% | -19.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -53.3% | -22.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -39.3% | -25.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +53.6% | +6.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +69.4% | -34.8% |
Valuation Metrics
LIQT leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21M | $218M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $33M | $211M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.43x | -15.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.26x | 3.54x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.00x | 4.34x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
PESI leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PESI delivers a -24.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-25 in annual profit, vs $-70 for LIQT. PESI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LIQT's 1.17x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PESI scores 5/9 vs LIQT's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -70.0% | -24.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -29.5% | -15.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -31.1% | -21.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | — | -16.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.17x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $12M | -$7M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | — | $12M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12M | $4M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -13.46x | -26.91x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PESI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PESI five years ago would be worth $16,271 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $370 for LIQT. Over the past 12 months, LIQT leads with a +56.5% total return vs PESI's +34.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PESI at 8.7% vs LIQT's -13.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +45.0% | -3.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +56.5% | +34.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.7% | +28.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -96.3% | +62.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -91.3% | +200.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -13.7% | +8.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LIQT and PESI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LIQT is the less volatile stock with a 0.52 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PESI's 1.85 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PESI currently trades 71.4% from its 52-week high vs LIQT's 64.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.52x | 1.85x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $3.35 | $16.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.30 | $8.02 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +64.5% | +71.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.9 | 58.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 50K | 164K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $18.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
PESI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). LIQT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
LIQT vs PESI: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LIQT or PESI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is the stronger pick with 13. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (PESI). Analysts rate Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (PESI) a "Hold" — based on 1 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.
02Which is the better long-term investment — LIQT or PESI?
Over the past 5 years, Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.
(PESI) delivered a total return of +62. 7%, compared to -96. 3% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PESI returned +200. 4% versus LIQT's -91. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — LIQT or PESI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. 's 1. 85β — meaning PESI is approximately 252% more volatile than LIQT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (PESI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 117% for LiqTech International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LIQT or PESI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is pulling ahead at 13. 0% versus 4. 3% for Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (PESI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LiqTech International, Inc. grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to 43. 6% for Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LIQT leads at 1. 1% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — LIQT or PESI?
Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.
(PESI) is the more profitable company, earning -22. 3% net margin versus -51. 7% for LiqTech International, Inc. — meaning it keeps -22. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PESI leads at -19. 0% versus -50. 3% for LIQT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PESI leads at 9. 6%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — LIQT or PESI?
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.
07Is LIQT or PESI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, LiqTech International, Inc.
(LIQT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 52)). Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. (PESI) carries a higher beta of 1. 85 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIQT: -91. 3%, PESI: +200. 4%), 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.
08What are the main differences between LIQT and PESI?
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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