UG vs LIQT

For growth investors, LiqTech International, Inc.

(LIQT) is the stronger pick with 13. 0% 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. 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.

Over the past 5 years, United-Guardian, Inc.

(UG) delivered a total return of -30. 0%, compared to -96. 1% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UG returned -12. 1% 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 LiqTech International, Inc. 's 0. 52β — meaning LIQT is approximately 58% more volatile than UG relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), LiqTech International, Inc.

(LIQT) is pulling ahead at 13. 0% versus -13. 4% for United-Guardian, Inc. (UG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LiqTech International, Inc. grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to -35. 2% for United-Guardian, 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.

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 — UG leads at 47. 7%, 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.

In this comparison, UG (8.

6% yield) pays a dividend. LIQT does 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 LIQT (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; LIQT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. UG pays a dividend while LIQT does 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.