Appian (NASDAQ:APPN – Get Free Report) and Datasea (NASDAQ:DTSS – Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends.
Profitability
This table compares Appian and Datasea’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Appian | -14.95% | -532.05% | -10.88% |
| Datasea | -26.69% | -618.32% | -245.91% |
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Appian and Datasea, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Appian | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Datasea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Volatility and Risk
Appian has a beta of 1.78, indicating that its stock price is 78% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Datasea has a beta of 0.39, indicating that its stock price is 61% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
52.7% of Appian shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.1% of Datasea shares are owned by institutional investors. 44.0% of Appian shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 41.1% of Datasea shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Appian and Datasea”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Appian | $617.02 million | 3.24 | -$92.26 million | ($1.26) | -21.40 |
| Datasea | $47.28 million | 0.30 | -$11.38 million | N/A | N/A |
Datasea has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Appian.
Summary
Appian beats Datasea on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Appian
Appian Corporation, a software company that provides low-code design platform in the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and internationally. The company's platform offers artificial intelligence, process automation, data fabric, and process mining. It provides The Appian Platform, an integrated automation platform that enables organizations to design, automate, and optimize mission-critical business processes. The company also offers professional and customer support services. It serves to financial services, government, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and transportation industries. Appian Corporation was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
About Datasea
Datasea Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides technology and information systems in the People's Republic of China. The company provides smart city solutions and 5G messaging applications. It also offers its smart security solutions primarily to schools, tourist or scenic attractions, and public communities. In addition, the company provides intelligent acoustics products, which include ultrasonic air sterilizer, air purification and deodorization, and other products. The company was formerly known as Rose Rock, Inc. and changed its name to Datasea Inc. in October 2015. Datasea Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.
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