• VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRME) shows a negative Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of -14.96% compared to its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 5.86%, indicating capital inefficiency.
• Among its peers, Wilhelmina International, Inc. (WHLM) presents a positive ROIC, making it potentially more attractive to investors focused on capital efficiency.
• Other companies in the industry, including Oblong, Inc. (OBLG) and Usio, Inc. (USIO), also demonstrate significant challenges in capital utilization, with negative ROIC to WACC ratios.

VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRME) is a company that specializes in providing authentication and anti-counterfeiting solutions. It operates in a competitive industry where efficient capital utilization is crucial for success. In analyzing VRME's financial performance, a key focus is on the comparison between its Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of -14.96% and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 5.86%.

This negative ROIC indicates that VRME is not generating enough returns to cover its cost of capital, suggesting inefficiencies in how it uses its capital. This is a red flag for investors, as it implies that the company is not effectively converting its investments into profitable returns.

When comparing VRME to its peers, Oblong, Inc. (OBLG) has an even more concerning ROIC of -114.45% against a WACC of 18.35%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -6.24. This suggests that OBLG is struggling significantly with capital efficiency. Similarly, Usio, Inc. (USIO) shows a ROIC of -86.25% and a WACC of 9.66%, leading to a ratio of -8.93, indicating poor capital utilization.

In contrast, Wilhelmina International, Inc. (WHLM) stands out with a positive ROIC of 1.12% and a WACC of 6.94%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.16. This suggests that WHLM is the only company among the group generating a positive return on its invested capital relative to its cost of capital, albeit modestly. This makes WHLM potentially more attractive to investors seeking better capital efficiency.

SilverSun Technologies, Inc. (SSNT) and MediaCo Holding Inc. (MDIA) also show negative ROICs of -1.29% and -6.53%, respectively, with WACCs of 14.77% and 6.61%. Their ROIC to WACC ratios of -0.09 and -0.99 further highlight inefficiencies in capital utilization, similar to VRME. This comparison underscores the challenges faced by these companies in generating sufficient returns on their investments.