Head-To-Head Review: Pyxus International (OTCMKTS:PYYX) versus Vector Group (NYSE:VGR)

Vector Group (NYSE:VGR) and Pyxus International (OTCMKTS:PYYX) are both consumer defensive companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, valuation and earnings.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

64.1% of Vector Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.3% of Pyxus International shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.1% of Vector Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 10.1% of Pyxus International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Vector Group and Pyxus International’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Vector Group	14.05%	-26.62%	19.66%
Pyxus International	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Vector Group and Pyxus International, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Vector Group	0	0	1	0	3.00
Pyxus International	0	0	0	0	N/A

Vector Group currently has a consensus target price of $16.00, indicating a potential upside of 6.81%. Given Vector Group’s higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Vector Group is more favorable than Pyxus International.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Vector Group and Pyxus International’s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Vector Group	$1.42 billion	1.66	$183.53 million	$1.16	12.91
Pyxus International	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Vector Group has higher revenue and earnings than Pyxus International.

Summary

Vector Group beats Pyxus International on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vector Group

Vector Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. It operates in two segments, Tobacco and Real Estate. The company produces cigarettes under the Montego, EAGLE 20’s, Pyramid, Grand Prix, Liggett Select, Eve, and USA brand names, as well as various partner and private label brands. It also invests in planned communities, condominium and mixeduse developments, apartment buildings, hotels, and commercial properties. The company markets and sells its cigarettes to wholesalers and distributors of tobacco and convenience products, as well as grocery, drug, and convenience store chains. The company was formerly known as Brooke Group Ltd. and changed its name to Vector Group Ltd. in May 2000. Vector Group Ltd. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

About Pyxus International

Pyxus International, Inc., an agricultural company, offers value-added products and services to businesses and customers. It also involved in the purchasing, processing, packing, storing, and shipping tobacco to manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products. The company offers its products in China, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Russia, Northern Africa, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Old Holdco, Inc. Pyxus International, Inc. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina.