UG vs IOSP vs KRMD vs LIQT vs CODA

For growth investors, Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is the stronger pick with 30. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 4% for United-Guardian, Inc. (UG). United-Guardian, Inc. (UG) offers the better valuation at 15. 2x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate KORU Medical Systems, Inc. (KRMD) 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.

On trailing P/E, United-Guardian, Inc.

(UG) is the cheapest at 15. 2x versus Coda Octopus Group, Inc. at 32. 2x. On forward P/E, Innospec Inc. is actually cheaper at 15. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Innospec Inc. wins at 0. 48x versus Coda Octopus Group, Inc. 's 5. 24x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) delivered a total return of +49. 7%, compared to -96. 1% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KRMD returned +1116% versus LIQT's -90. 9%. 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), United-Guardian, Inc.

(UG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 33β versus KORU Medical Systems, Inc. 's 1. 15β — meaning KRMD is approximately 247% more volatile than UG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 117% for LiqTech International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Coda Octopus Group, Inc.

(CODA) is pulling ahead at 30. 7% versus -13. 4% for United-Guardian, Inc. (UG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innospec Inc. grew EPS 228. 9% year-over-year, compared to -35. 2% for United-Guardian, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KRMD leads at 13. 8% 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.

United-Guardian, Inc.

(UG) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 0% net margin versus -51. 7% for LiqTech International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UG leads at 21. 3% versus -50. 3% for LIQT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CODA leads at 66. 5%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Innospec Inc. (IOSP) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 48x versus Coda Octopus Group, Inc. 's 5. 24x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Innospec Inc. (IOSP) trades at 15. 5x forward P/E versus 22. 5x for Coda Octopus Group, Inc. — 7. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KRMD: 57. 7% to $7. 00.

In this comparison, UG (8.

6% yield), IOSP (2. 2% yield) pay a dividend. KRMD, LIQT, CODA do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, United-Guardian, Inc.

(UG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 33), 8. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UG: -12. 1%, LIQT: -90. 9%), 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 (UG (Consumer Defensive) and IOSP (Basic Materials) and KRMD (Healthcare) and LIQT (Industrials) and CODA (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: UG is a small-cap deep-value stock; IOSP is a small-cap deep-value stock; KRMD is a small-cap high-growth stock; LIQT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CODA is a small-cap high-growth stock. UG, IOSP pay a dividend while KRMD, LIQT, CODA 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.