Critical Review: Viper Networks (OTCMKTS:VPER) & MultiPlan (NYSE:MPLN)

Viper Networks (OTCMKTS:VPER) and MultiPlan (NYSE:MPLN) are both small-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Viper Networks and MultiPlan’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Viper Networks	N/A	N/A	N/A
MultiPlan	-163.30%	-12.14%	-1.84%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Viper Networks and MultiPlan, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Viper Networks	0	0	0	0	0.00
MultiPlan	0	2	0	0	2.00

MultiPlan has a consensus price target of $26.25, suggesting a potential upside of 19.54%. Given MultiPlan’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe MultiPlan is more favorable than Viper Networks.

Volatility and Risk

Viper Networks has a beta of -1.18, indicating that its share price is 218% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MultiPlan has a beta of 0.13, indicating that its share price is 87% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

87.2% of MultiPlan shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.0% of MultiPlan shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Viper Networks and MultiPlan”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Viper Networks	$30,000.00	65.64	-$820,000.00	N/A	N/A
MultiPlan	$930.62 million	0.38	-$91.70 million	($101.54)	-0.22

Viper Networks has higher earnings, but lower revenue than MultiPlan.

Summary

MultiPlan beats Viper Networks on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Viper Networks

Viper Networks, Inc. manufactures and distributes LED lighting products. The company provides CyberGrab; Vnet, a communication application; Viper unified communications platform for carriers and providers; VRoom; parking lot lightings system; and solar power and telecom systems, as well as intelligent lighting solutions with camera, sensor, and wireless technologies. Its products are used in street, roadway, security, parking lot, and billboard lighting. Viper Networks, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Troy, Michigan.

About MultiPlan

MultiPlan Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides data analytics and technology-enabled cost management, payment, and revenue integrity solutions to the healthcare industry in the United States. The company offers analytics-based services that reduce medical costs, through data-driven algorithms and insights that detect claims over-charges and negotiate or recommend reimbursement; and network-based services that provide contracted discounts with healthcare providers, as well as outsourced network development and management services. It provides payment and revenue integrity services, such as identifying and removing improper and unnecessary charges paid during the claim, as well as services to identify and help restore and preserve underpaid premium dollars. In addition, the company offers data and decision science services including a suite of solutions that apply modern methods of data science to produce descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics that drive optimized benefit plan design, support decision-making, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce the total cost of care; and business-to-business healthcare payments and other services. It serves national and regional insurance companies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, provider-sponsored and independent health plans, TPAs, self-insured health plans, property and casualty insurers, bill review companies, and other companies involved in the claim adjudication process. MultiPlan Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in New York, New York.