2U (NASDAQ:TWOU) and Bridgeline Digital (NASDAQ:BLIN) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk and analyst recommendations.
Profitability
This table compares 2U and Bridgeline Digital’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| 2U | -10.19% | -5.85% | -4.92% |
| Bridgeline Digital | -225.55% | -1,413.16% | -163.03% |
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares 2U and Bridgeline Digital’s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| 2U | $411.77 million | 5.05 | -$38.33 million | ($0.63) | -56.46 |
| Bridgeline Digital | $13.57 million | 0.15 | -$7.21 million | N/A | N/A |
Bridgeline Digital has lower revenue, but higher earnings than 2U.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for 2U and Bridgeline Digital, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| 2U | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 2.73 |
| Bridgeline Digital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2U presently has a consensus target price of $72.91, suggesting a potential upside of 104.97%. Given 2U’s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe 2U is more favorable than Bridgeline Digital.
Volatility and Risk
2U has a beta of 0.93, meaning that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bridgeline Digital has a beta of 1.78, meaning that its share price is 78% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary
2U beats Bridgeline Digital on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.
About 2U
2U, Inc. operates as an education technology company in the United States, Hong Kong, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, Graduate Program Segment and Short Course Segment. It offers front-end technology and services, including online learning platform, student and faculty and immersion support, accessibility, admissions application advising, in-program student field placements, and faculty recruiting. The company provides back-end technology and services comprising graduate program launch and operations applications, university systems integration applications, content management system, admission application processing portal, customer relationship management, content development, student acquisition, and state authorization services. The company was formerly known as 2Tor Inc. and changed its name to 2U, Inc. in October 2012. 2U, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Lanham, Maryland.
About Bridgeline Digital
Bridgeline Digital, Inc. operates as a digital engagement company in the United States. The company’s Bridgeline’s Unbound platform enables companies and developers to create Websites, Web applications, and online stores. It offers Bridgeline Unbound Experience Manager, a marketing automation engine and content management system; Bridgeline Unbound Content Manager that enables non-technical users to create, edit, and publish content via a browser-based interface; and Bridgeline Unbound Commerce, an online B2B and B2C commerce solution that allows users to manage domestic and international commerce initiatives. The company also provides Bridgeline Unbound Marketing, an online marketing management solution that helps marketers drive to their sites through personalized and targeted marketing automation flows; and Bridgeline Unbound Insights to manage, measure, and optimize Web properties by recording detailed events and mining data for statistical analysis. In addition, it offers Bridgeline Unbound Social, a social media management solution that empowers customers to set up customized watch lists; and Bridgeline Unbound Franchises, a Web content management and e-commerce platform to multi-unit organizations and franchises. Further, the company provides digital strategy, Web design and development, usability engineering, information architecture, and search engine optimization services; application monitoring, emergency response, version control, load balancing, managed firewall security, and virus protection services; and shared, dedicated, and Software as a Service hosting services. It serves vertical markets, such as financial services, retail brand names, health services and life sciences, technology, credit unions and regional banks, and associations and foundations through its direct sales force. The company was formerly known as Bridgeline Software, Inc. Bridgeline Digital, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is based in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Receive News & Ratings for 2U Daily – Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts’ ratings for 2U and related companies with MarketBeat.com’s FREE daily email newsletter.