Critical Comparison: Viveve Medical (NASDAQ:VIVE) versus Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SMLR)

Viveve Medical (NASDAQ:VIVE) and Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SMLR) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Viveve Medical and Semler Scientific, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Viveve Medical	0	0	0	0	0.00
Semler Scientific	0	0	0	1	4.00

Risk and Volatility

Viveve Medical has a beta of 0.51, meaning that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Semler Scientific has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Viveve Medical and Semler Scientific’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Viveve Medical	N/A	N/A	N/A
Semler Scientific	27.00%	20.31%	18.78%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Viveve Medical and Semler Scientific”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Viveve Medical	$6.83 million	0.00	-$22.03 million	N/A	N/A
Semler Scientific	$58.94 million	6.43	$20.58 million	$2.05	25.43

Semler Scientific has higher revenue and earnings than Viveve Medical.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

49.4% of Semler Scientific shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Viveve Medical shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 30.2% of Semler Scientific shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Semler Scientific beats Viveve Medical on 11 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Viveve Medical

Viveve Medical, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for the non-invasive treatment of vaginal introital laxity, sexual function, vaginal rejuvenation, and stress urinary incontinence. The company offers Viveve System comprises of the radiofrequency generator, reusable handpiece, and treatment tip, as well as cryogen canister and other consumable components. It markets its products through sales employees and distributors in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and internationally. Viveve Medical, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

About Semler Scientific

Semler Scientific, Inc. provides technology solutions to enhance the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare providers in the United States. The company’s products include QuantaFlo, a four-minute in-office blood flow test that enables healthcare providers to use blood flow measurements as part of their examinations of a patient’s vascular condition. It also offers Insulin Insights, a software program that is used by a healthcare provider to optimize outpatient insulin dosing. The company’s products serve cardiologists, internists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, podiatrists, family practitioners, healthcare insurance plans, integrated delivery networks, independent physician groups, and companies contracting with the healthcare industry, such as risk assessment groups and retailers. It offers its products through sales representatives and distributors. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.