Contrasting Patten Energy Solutions Group (OTCMKTS:PTTN) and Golden Minerals (NYSE:AUMN)

Patten Energy Solutions Group (OTCMKTS:PTTN) and Golden Minerals (NYSE:AUMN) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, valuation and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Patten Energy Solutions Group and Golden Minerals”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Patten Energy Solutions Group	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Golden Minerals	$2.81 million	1.30	-$9.23 million	($0.93)	-0.27

Patten Energy Solutions Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Golden Minerals.

Risk & Volatility

Patten Energy Solutions Group has a beta of 1.61, suggesting that its stock price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Golden Minerals has a beta of 0.28, suggesting that its stock price is 72% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

13.4% of Golden Minerals shares are held by institutional investors. 2.5% of Patten Energy Solutions Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.0% of Golden Minerals shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Patten Energy Solutions Group and Golden Minerals’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Patten Energy Solutions Group	N/A	N/A	N/A
Golden Minerals	-77.16%	-517.60%	-73.01%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Patten Energy Solutions Group and Golden Minerals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Patten Energy Solutions Group	0	0	0	0	N/A
Golden Minerals	0	0	1	0	3.00

Golden Minerals has a consensus price target of $1.50, indicating a potential upside of 500.00%.

About Patten Energy Solutions Group

Patten Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining, and production of energy and mineral properties. The company primarily explores for lithium carbonate and other minerals. It holds interests in a portfolio of properties covering approximately 31,020 acres located in the United States and Australia. Patten Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Dolton, Illinois.

About Golden Minerals

Golden Minerals Company, a precious metals exploration company explores for mineral properties in Argentina, Nevada, and Mexico. It explores for gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, and other minerals. The company was formerly known as Apex Silver Mines Limited and changed its name to Golden Minerals Company in March 2009. Golden Minerals Company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado.