Evolus (NASDAQ:EOLS) and Clene (NASDAQ:CLNN) Critical Analysis
by Sarita Garza · The Markets DailyClene (NASDAQ:CLNN – Get Free Report) and Evolus (NASDAQ:EOLS – Get Free Report) are both small-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk and profitability.
Volatility and Risk
Clene has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Evolus has a beta of 1.42, indicating that its stock price is 42% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Clene and Evolus’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Clene | -20,063.96% | N/A | -137.04% |
| Evolus | -10.85% | N/A | -13.00% |
Institutional & Insider Ownership
23.3% of Clene shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.7% of Evolus shares are held by institutional investors. 28.3% of Clene shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.0% of Evolus shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Clene and Evolus”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Clene | $200,000.00 | 279.28 | -$26.17 million | ($3.50) | -1.23 |
| Evolus | $297.18 million | 1.77 | -$51.64 million | ($0.52) | -15.33 |
Clene has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Evolus. Evolus is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Clene, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Clene and Evolus, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Clene | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2.71 |
| Evolus | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2.50 |
Clene presently has a consensus price target of $34.00, suggesting a potential upside of 690.70%. Evolus has a consensus price target of $14.50, suggesting a potential upside of 81.93%. Given Clene’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Clene is more favorable than Evolus.
Summary
Clene beats Evolus on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Clene
Clene Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel clean-surfaced nanotechnology (CSN) therapeutics. Its lead drug candidate is CNM-Au8, which is being studied in various clinical trials, including a completed Phase 2 platform trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CNM-Au8 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); completed Phase 2 proof of concept clinical trial in patients with early symptomatic ALS; completed two open-label investigator blinded Phase 2 clinical trials on the brain's energy metabolites; completed Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of visual pathway deficits in chronic optic neuropathy for remyelination in stable relapsing Multiple Sclerosis; and a second Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's Diseases. The company also develops CNM-AgZn17, a gel polymer suspension of silver and zinc ions that is being developed for the treatment of infectious diseases and to support wound healing; and CNM-ZnAg, a broad-spectrum antiviral and antibacterial agent to treat infection disease and to provide immune support for symptom resolution. In addition, it markets and distributes dietary supplements comprising rMetx, an aqueous zinc-silver ion dietary supplement; and KHC46, an aqueous gold dietary supplement of very low-concentration Au nanoparticles. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About Evolus
Evolus, Inc., a performance beauty company, focuses on delivering products in the cash-pay aesthetic market in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers Jeuveau, a proprietary 900 kilodalton purified botulinum toxin type A formulation for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines in adults. It also provides dermal filler products under the Estyme and Evolysse names. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.