Clearfield (CLFD) Competitors

Viavi Solutions (NASDAQ:VIAV) and Clearfield (NASDAQ:CLFD) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, community ranking, risk, valuation, dividends and media sentiment.

Which has more risk and volatility, VIAV or CLFD?

Viavi Solutions has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Clearfield has a beta of 1.61, indicating that its stock price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Does the media prefer VIAV or CLFD?

In the previous week, Viavi Solutions had 2 more articles in the media than Clearfield. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for Viavi Solutions and 5 mentions for Clearfield. Viavi Solutions' average media sentiment score of 1.29 beat Clearfield's score of 0.81 indicating that Viavi Solutions is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Viavi Solutions	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Clearfield	3 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Does the MarketBeat Community prefer VIAV or CLFD?

Viavi Solutions received 376 more outperform votes than Clearfield when rated by MarketBeat users. Likewise, 67.46% of users gave Viavi Solutions an outperform vote while only 59.77% of users gave Clearfield an outperform vote.

Company	Underperform	Outperform
Viavi Solutions	Outperform Votes 682 67.46%	Underperform Votes 329 32.54%
Clearfield	Outperform Votes 306 59.77%	Underperform Votes 206 40.23%

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of VIAV or CLFD?

95.5% of Viavi Solutions shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 88.7% of Clearfield shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of Viavi Solutions shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 17.8% of Clearfield shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Is VIAV or CLFD more profitable?

Viavi Solutions has a net margin of -3.87% compared to Clearfield's net margin of -5.41%. Viavi Solutions' return on equity of 2.90% beat Clearfield's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Viavi Solutions	-3.87%	2.90%	1.16%
Clearfield	-5.41%	-3.31%	-2.90%

Which has stronger earnings and valuation, VIAV or CLFD?

Clearfield has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Viavi Solutions. Clearfield is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Viavi Solutions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Viavi Solutions	$1.05B	1.91	-$25.80M	$0.02	447.25
Clearfield	$178.21M	2.86	-$12.45M	-$0.14	-263.25

Do analysts rate VIAV or CLFD?

Viavi Solutions presently has a consensus target price of $12.69, suggesting a potential upside of 41.84%. Clearfield has a consensus target price of $46.75, suggesting a potential upside of 26.85%. Given Viavi Solutions' higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Viavi Solutions is more favorable than Clearfield.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Viavi Solutions	1 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Clearfield	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	4 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Summary

Viavi Solutions beats Clearfield on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.