Austin Gold (NYSE:AUST – Get Free Report) and Vista Gold (NYSE:VGZ – Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? Get Austin Gold alerts:Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Austin Gold 0 0 0 0 0.00 Vista Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00Vista Gold has a consensus price target of $3.00, suggesting a potential upside of 73.91%. Given Vista Gold’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Vista Gold is more favorable than Austin Gold. Earnings and ValuationGross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Austin Gold N/A N/A -$4.00 million ($0.14) -10.86 Vista Gold N/A N/A -$6.59 million ($0.07) -24.64This table compares Austin Gold and Vista Gold”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Austin Gold N/A -37.85% -36.54% Vista Gold N/A 93.43% 68.97%Institutional and Insider Ownership62.1% of Austin Gold shares are owned by institutional investors.