ASTS vs. ERIC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and ERIC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ERIC’s market capitalization of 28.16 billion USD is significantly greater than ASTS’s 15.96 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ASTS’s beta of 2.02 points to significantly higher volatility compared to ERIC (beta: 0.44), suggesting ASTS has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
ERIC is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. ASTS, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
| Symbol | ASTS | ERIC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) |
| Country | US | SE |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Communication Equipment |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Anthony F. Bartolo |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 8.54 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 28.16 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 0.44 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | August 24, 1981 |
| ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS and ERIC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
ERIC
1.84%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ERIC’s Return on Equity of 1.84% is on par with the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
ERIC
-11.25%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ERIC has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -11.25%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
ERIC
0.65%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ERIC’s Net Profit Margin of 0.65% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
ERIC
8.83%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ERIC’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.83% is around the midpoint for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | ERIC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | 1.84% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | 0.58% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | -11.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | 0.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | 8.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 45.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
ERIC
1.09
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ERIC’s Current Ratio of 1.09 falls into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
ERIC
0.49
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
ERIC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.49 is typical for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
ERIC
6.76
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ERIC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | ERIC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 1.09 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 0.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.49 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.15 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | -0.05 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | 6.76 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS and ERIC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
ERIC
3.39%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.39%, ERIC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Communication Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
ERIC
573.48%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ERIC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 573.48% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | ERIC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.39% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 573.48% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
ERIC
169.59
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
At 169.59, ERIC’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Communication Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
ERIC
-64.58
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ERIC
1.10
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
In the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ERIC’s P/S Ratio of 1.10 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
ERIC
3.17
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ERIC’s P/B Ratio of 3.17 is within the conventional range for the Communication Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | ERIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | 169.59 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | -64.58 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 1.10 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 3.17 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | 6.52 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | 5.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 1.09 |