Bridgeline Digital (NASDAQ:BLIN) and Descartes Systems Group (NASDAQ:DSGX) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends, earnings and valuation.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
80.5% of Descartes Systems Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.5% of Bridgeline Digital shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Descartes Systems Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Volatility and Risk
Bridgeline Digital has a beta of 1.61, suggesting that its share price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Descartes Systems Group has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Bridgeline Digital and Descartes Systems Group, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Bridgeline Digital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Descartes Systems Group | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2.56 |
Descartes Systems Group has a consensus target price of $39.00, suggesting a potential downside of 2.74%. Given Descartes Systems Group’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Descartes Systems Group is more favorable than Bridgeline Digital.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Bridgeline Digital and Descartes Systems Group’s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Bridgeline Digital | $13.57 million | 0.23 | -$7.21 million | N/A | N/A |
| Descartes Systems Group | $275.17 million | 11.25 | $31.28 million | $0.40 | 100.25 |
Descartes Systems Group has higher revenue and earnings than Bridgeline Digital.
Profitability
This table compares Bridgeline Digital and Descartes Systems Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Bridgeline Digital | -225.55% | -1,413.16% | -163.03% |
| Descartes Systems Group | 11.05% | 6.03% | 4.78% |
Summary
Descartes Systems Group beats Bridgeline Digital on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
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.
About Descartes Systems Group
The Descartes Systems Group Inc. provides federated network and logistics technology solutions worldwide. Its Logistics Application Suite offers a range of modular, cloud-based, and interoperable Web and wireless logistics management applications. The company’s Logistics Application Suite offers solutions, such as route planning and execution, mobile applications, and telematics and compliance; transportation management solutions comprising carrier compliance and rate management, freight audit and settlement, dock scheduling and yard management, pool distribution, transportation planning and execution, and logistics flow control, as well as visibility, tracking, and performance management; and global logistics network services, such as document management, community, and connectivity services. Its Logistics Application Suite solutions also include customs and regulatory compliance solutions, such as cargo security compliance, declaration and fiscal compliance, customs warehouse management, ocean regulatory services, industry program support services, global trade content, and government solutions; and broker and forwarder enterprise system solutions, such as forwarder back office, and brokerage and declaration services. In addition, the company offers consulting, implementation, and training services; and maintenance and support services. It serves transportation providers, logistics service providers, and distribution-intensive companies through distributors, alliance partners, and value added resellers. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada.
Receive News & Ratings for Bridgeline Digital Daily – Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts’ ratings for Bridgeline Digital and related companies with MarketBeat.com’s FREE daily email newsletter.