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REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Consumer Electronics | Consumer Electronics | Hardware, Equipment & Parts |
| Market Cap | $29M | $40M | $232M | $189M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1M | $13M | $5M | $1M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-2M | $-871K | $-32.28B | $-95M |
| Gross Margin | 95.8% | 36.4% | -0.0% | -14.4% |
| Operating Margin | -190.2% | -15.8% | -5.2% | -57.4% |
| Total Debt | $1M | $3M | $1.00B | $37M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $664K | $3M | $21.15B | $32M |
REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Frontiers … (REFR) | 100 | 18.7 | -81.3% |
| Koss Corporation (KOSS) | 100 | 370.1 | +270.1% |
| Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) | 100 | 114.9 | +14.9% |
| MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS) | 100 | 70.0 | -30.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
REFR is the clearest fit if your priority is stability.
- Beta 0.86 vs VUZI's 3.40
KOSS is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.62
- 91.0% 10Y total return vs VUZI's -35.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.62, Low D/E 8.3%, current ratio 11.65x
- Beta 1.62, current ratio 11.65x
VUZI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.1K%, EPS growth 61.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 7.1%
- 1.1K% revenue growth vs MVIS's -74.3%
- 10.1% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend
- +63.4% vs MVIS's -45.5%
MVIS lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 1.1K% revenue growth vs MVIS's -74.3% | |
| Quality / Margins | -6.8% margin vs MVIS's -78.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.86 vs VUZI's 3.40 | |
| Dividends | 10.1% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +63.4% vs MVIS's -45.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -2.3% ROA vs VUZI's -321.3%, ROIC -4.2% vs -10.7% |
REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
KOSS leads in 3 of 6 categories
VUZI leads 2 • REFR leads 0 • MVIS leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KOSS leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KOSS is the larger business by revenue, generating $13M annually — 11.4x REFR's $1M. KOSS is the more profitable business, keeping -6.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MVIS's -78.6%. On growth, VUZI holds the edge at +4933.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1M | $13M | $5M | $1M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$2M | -$2M | -$30.9B | -$64M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$2M | -$871,116 | -$32.3B | -$95M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1M | -$546,651 | -$20.8B | -$59M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +95.8% | +36.4% | -0.0% | -14.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -190.2% | -15.8% | -5.2% | -57.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -182.4% | -6.8% | -5.1% | -78.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -118.6% | -4.3% | -3.3% | -49.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -59.5% | -19.6% | +4933.1% | -86.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -26.0% | — | +25.0% | +14.3% |
Valuation Metrics
VUZI leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $29M | $40M | $232M | $189M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $29M | $39M | -$19.9B | $193M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -13.70x | -44.78x | -6.81x | -1.76x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 25.82x | 3.14x | 0.04x | 156.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 30.03x | 1.28x | 0.01x | 3.03x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
KOSS leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KOSS delivers a -2.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-3 in annual profit, vs $-5 for VUZI. VUZI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to REFR's 1.25x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KOSS scores 5/9 vs VUZI's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -122.9% | -2.8% | -5.2% | -137.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -68.4% | -2.3% | -3.2% | -74.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -95.7% | -4.2% | -10.7% | -98.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -74.5% | -4.9% | -184.6% | -93.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.25x | 0.08x | 0.04x | 0.66x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $501,986 | -$266,063 | -$20.1B | $4M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $664,299 | $3M | $21.2B | $32M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1M | $3M | $1.0B | $37M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -1972.72x | — | -3.54x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KOSS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in REFR five years ago would be worth $3,306 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $437 for MVIS. Over the past 12 months, VUZI leads with a +63.4% total return vs MVIS's -45.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KOSS at 1.7% vs MVIS's -35.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -34.9% | -3.6% | -25.7% | -30.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -28.2% | -10.6% | +63.4% | -45.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -43.3% | +5.3% | -29.6% | -73.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -66.9% | -75.7% | -84.8% | -95.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.2% | +91.0% | -35.7% | -66.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -17.2% | +1.7% | -11.0% | -35.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — REFR and VUZI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
REFR is the less volatile stock with a 0.86 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VUZI's 3.40 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VUZI currently trades 66.7% from its 52-week high vs REFR's 30.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.86x | 1.62x | 3.40x | 2.61x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $2.70 | $8.59 | $4.29 | $1.73 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.82 | $3.50 | $1.71 | $0.51 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +30.9% | +48.7% | +66.7% | +35.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 40.4 | 55.2 | 61.1 | 50.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 33K | 23K | 924K | 5.3M |
Analyst Outlook
VUZI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VUZI as "Buy", MVIS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 711.7% upside for MVIS (target: $5) vs 109.8% for VUZI (target: $6). VUZI is the only dividend payer here at 10.10% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — | $6.00 | $5.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — | 5 | 7 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | +10.1% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | $0.29 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
KOSS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). VUZI leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
REFR vs KOSS vs VUZI vs MVIS: Key Questions Answered
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) is the stronger pick with 1090% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -74.
3% for MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS). Analysts rate Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) a "Buy" — based on 5 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 — REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS?
Over the past 5 years, Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) delivered a total return of -66.
9%, compared to -95. 6% for MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KOSS returned +91. 0% versus REFR's -80. 2%. 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 — REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
86β versus Vuzix Corporation's 3. 40β — meaning VUZI is approximately 296% more volatile than REFR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 125% for Research Frontiers Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) is pulling ahead at 1090% versus -74.
3% for MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Vuzix Corporation grew EPS 61. 1% year-over-year, compared to -55. 5% for Research Frontiers Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, VUZI leads at 709. 6% 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 — REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS?
Koss Corporation (KOSS) is the more profitable company, earning -6.
9% net margin versus -78. 6% for MicroVision, Inc. — meaning it keeps -6. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KOSS leads at -13. 8% versus -57. 4% for MVIS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — REFR leads at 83. 4%, 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 — REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS?
In this comparison, VUZI (10.
1% yield) pays a dividend. REFR, KOSS, MVIS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is REFR or KOSS or VUZI or MVIS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
86)). MicroVision, Inc. (MVIS) carries a higher beta of 2. 61 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (REFR: -80. 2%, MVIS: -66. 2%), 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 REFR and KOSS and VUZI and MVIS?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: REFR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KOSS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; VUZI is a small-cap high-growth stock; MVIS is a small-cap quality compounder stock. VUZI pays a dividend while REFR, KOSS, MVIS do 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.
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