Head-To-Head Review: Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ:ASMB) versus LifeVantage (NASDAQ:LFVN)

Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ:ASMB) and LifeVantage (NASDAQ:LFVN) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and dividends.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

19.9% of Assembly Biosciences shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 35.3% of LifeVantage shares are held by institutional investors. 5.1% of Assembly Biosciences shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 20.7% of LifeVantage shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Assembly Biosciences has a beta of 0.56, meaning that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LifeVantage has a beta of 0.82, meaning that its stock price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Assembly Biosciences and LifeVantage”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Assembly Biosciences	$28.33 million	3.92	-$61.23 million	N/A	N/A
LifeVantage	$196.01 million	1.14	$2.94 million	$0.32	55.59

LifeVantage has higher revenue and earnings than Assembly Biosciences.

Profitability

This table compares Assembly Biosciences and LifeVantage’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Assembly Biosciences	-144.05%	-121.46%	-34.56%
LifeVantage	2.11%	29.24%	12.82%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Assembly Biosciences and LifeVantage, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Assembly Biosciences	0	1	1	0	2.50
LifeVantage	0	0	1	0	3.00

Assembly Biosciences currently has a consensus price target of $35.00, indicating a potential upside of 100.11%. LifeVantage has a consensus price target of $26.00, indicating a potential upside of 46.15%. Given Assembly Biosciences’ higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Assembly Biosciences is more favorable than LifeVantage.

Summary

LifeVantage beats Assembly Biosciences on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Assembly Biosciences

Assembly Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company, develops therapeutic candidates for the treatment of viral diseases. It develops ABI-5366, a long-acting herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitor that is in Phase 1a/1b clinical trial to treat recurrent genital herpes; ABI-1179, which is in Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes; and ABI-6250, a small molecule orally bioavailable hepatitis delta virus entry inhibitor that is in Phase 1a clinical trial. The company also develops ABI-4334, a next-generation capsid assembly modulator, which is in Phase 1b clinical trial for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV). In addition, it develops an oral non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor targeting transplant-related herpesviruses; and a small molecule interferon-a receptor agonist targeting HBV and HDV. The company has collaboration agreements with Gilead Sciences, Inc. and BeiGene, Ltd. The company was formerly known as Ventrus Biosciences, Inc. and changed its name to Assembly Biosciences, Inc. in June 2014. Assembly Biosciences, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

About LifeVantage

LifeVantage Corporation engages in the identification, research, development, formulation, and sale of advanced nutrigenomic activators, dietary supplements, nootropics, pre- and pro-biotics, weight management, skin and hair care, bath and body, and targeted relief products. It offers Protandim, a dietary supplement; LifeVantage Omega+, a dietary supplement that combines DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-7 fatty acids, and vitamin D3; LifeVantage ProBio, a dietary supplement to support gut health; PhysIQ, a weight management system; LifeVantage IC Bright, a supplement to support eye and brain health, reduce eye fatigue and strain, supports cognitive functions, and support normal sleep patterns; Petandim for Dogs, a supplement to combat oxidative stress in dogs; and Axio, a nootropic energy drink mix. The company also provides anti-aging skin care products, including liquid collagen, facial cleansers, perfecting lotions, eye serums, anti-aging creams, hand creams, beauty serum, as well as hair care products, such as invigorating shampoos, nourishing conditioners, and scalp serums under the LifeVantage TrueScience brand name. In addition, it offers bath and body, and targeted relief products, such as body lotion, body wash, body butter, deodorant, soothing balm, and body rub under the TrueScience brand name. It sells its products through its website and network of independent distributors in the United States, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Austria, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.