Critical Survey: Gulf Island Fabrication (NASDAQ:GIFI) versus Williams Industries (OTCMKTS:WMSI)

Gulf Island Fabrication (NASDAQ:GIFI) and Williams Industries (OTCMKTS:WMSI) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Gulf Island Fabrication and Williams Industries’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Gulf Island Fabrication	10.54%	20.64%	13.48%
Williams Industries	N/A	N/A	N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Gulf Island Fabrication and Williams Industries”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Gulf Island Fabrication	$151.07 million	0.77	-$24.40 million	$1.05	6.76
Williams Industries	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Williams Industries has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Gulf Island Fabrication.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Gulf Island Fabrication and Williams Industries, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Gulf Island Fabrication	0	0	1	0	3.00
Williams Industries	0	0	0	0	0.00

Institutional & Insider Ownership

46.4% of Gulf Island Fabrication shares are owned by institutional investors. 20.1% of Gulf Island Fabrication shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 47.4% of Williams Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Gulf Island Fabrication beats Williams Industries on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Gulf Island Fabrication

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a fabricator of steel structures and modules in the United States. It operates through Services, Fabrication, and Shipyard divisions. The company provides maintenance, repair, construction, scaffolding, coatings, welding enclosures, and other specialty services on offshore platforms, inland structures, and industrial facilities; services required to connect production equipment and service modules, and equipment on offshore platforms; project management and commissioning services; hookup services; and civil construction and staffing services to the industrial and energy sectors, as well as undertakes municipal and drainage projects, including pump stations, levee reinforcement, bulkheads, and other public works. It also fabricates modules, skids, and piping systems for onshore refining, petrochemical, liquified natural gas (LNG), industrial, and offshore facilities; foundations, secondary steel components, and support structures for alternative energy developments and coastal mooring facilities; offshore production platforms and associated structures, including jacket foundations, piles, and topsides for fixed production and utility platforms, as well as hulls and topsides for floating production and utility platforms; and other complex steel structures and components. In addition, the company fabricates newbuild marine vessels and provides marine repair and maintenance services. The company serves international energy producers; refining, petrochemical, LNG, industrial, and power operators; and engineering, procurement, and construction companies. Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

About Williams Industries

Williams Industries, Incorporated manufactures and sells welded steel plate girders, rolled steel beams, stay-in-place bridge decking, and light structural and other metal products in the United States. The company also offers steel, precast concrete and miscellaneous metals erection and installation services, as well as rigging and specialized hauling services. It also rents cranes. The company provides its services and products for industrial, governmental, commercial, and institutional construction markets. Williams Industries, Incorporated was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia.