Industry Overview - The Zacks Alternate Energy- Other industry is gaining importance as countries work to reduce fossil-fuel dependence and curb emissions in the power sector [1] - Fuel-cell systems are emerging as a promising solution, generating electricity through a hydrogen-oxygen reaction that produces only water and heat, offering an efficient alternative to combustion-based power sources [1] Company Focus: Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) - Bloom Energy utilizes solid-oxide fuel cell technology to provide clean, reliable power through its Energy Server platform, which minimizes grid losses and scales from kilowatts to megawatts [3] - The company is well positioned for sustained revenue growth and margin expansion due to rising demand for decarbonization, grid resilience, and hydrogen solutions [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bloom Energy's earnings per share in 2026 has increased year-over-year by 78.75%, with long-term earnings growth projected at 25% [6] - Bloom Energy's current return on equity (ROE) is 29.39%, indicating stronger capital efficiency compared to its competitor [12] - Over the past six months, Bloom Energy's stock has soared 316%, benefiting from rising demand for clean power [13] Company Focus: Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) - Plug Power provides clean energy through hydrogen fuel cell technology, enhancing efficiency in material-handling equipment with fast refueling and longer run times [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Plug Power's earnings per share in 2026 has increased year-over-year by 55.7% [7] - Plug Power's current ROE is negative at -105.98%, highlighting challenges in capital efficiency [12] - Despite near-term profitability and execution hurdles, Plug Power is positioned to capitalize on logistics decarbonization and clean energy adoption [4] Financial Metrics Comparison - Bloom Energy's debt-to-capital ratio stands at 66.43%, significantly higher than Plug Power's 19.05%, indicating a greater reliance on debt for operations [10] - The price-to-sales ratio for Bloom Energy is 13.37X, while for Plug Power it is 3.77X, suggesting that investors are willing to pay more for Bloom Energy's sales [11] Summary of Investment Potential - Both Bloom Energy and Plug Power are investing in research and utilizing fuel cell technology to provide reliable power [16] - Bloom Energy's stronger earnings estimates, higher ROE, and solid price performance make it a more attractive investment compared to Plug Power, despite both companies currently holding a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [16]

Last year, the energy sector emerged as one of the notable laggards in an otherwise red-hot U.S. stock market. The sector notched a respectable, but below-market, return of 7.9%, falling to match the 16.4% gain by the S&P 500 in large part due to a big pullback in oil prices in the second half of 2025. Thankfully, oil and gas stocks are looking to flip the script in the early innings of the new year, with the energy sector up 11.2% in the year-to-date, the best sector performance so far in the year and inc ...

Core Insights - The discussion centers around two key growth investment picks for 2026: MercadoLibre (MELI) and Bloom Energy (BE) [3][4]. MercadoLibre (MELI) - MercadoLibre is the market leader in e-commerce and fintech in Latin America, boasting a strong logistics network and brand recognition [15][18]. - The company has shown impressive growth, with revenue increasing by 39% in U.S. dollars and 49% in constant currencies in the most recent quarter [21]. - Unique buyers in commerce grew by 26%, reaching 76.8 million customers, indicating significant market penetration potential [22]. - The fintech platform is also expanding rapidly, with a 41% increase in total payment volume (TPV) in U.S. dollars and 54% in constant currencies [24]. - Despite recent contractions in profit margins, the company is investing for long-term growth, which is expected to yield substantial returns [25][55]. - The e-commerce market in Latin America is still underpenetrated, with only 15% of retail sales occurring online, suggesting years of growth ahead [46][47]. - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for financial services in underbanked regions [48][49]. Bloom Energy (BE) - Bloom Energy specializes in solid oxide fuel cells, providing on-site power solutions that can be deployed much faster than traditional energy sources [79][80]. - The company is positioned to address urgent energy needs, particularly for data centers, with a significant growth forecast of 71% revenue growth [88]. - Bloom Energy's technology allows for rapid deployment, typically within 90 days, compared to years for grid or nuclear solutions [81][82]. - The company has a strong customer base, including major players like Oracle and Equinix, and is moving towards gigawatt-level energy supply with new capital partnerships [96][97]. - The energy sector is expected to see a significant increase in demand, particularly driven by AI and data center growth, creating a favorable market environment for Bloom Energy [93][94].

Core Thesis - Bloom Energy Corporation is positioned as a leading provider of on-site power solutions, leveraging its competitive advantages in reliability, efficiency, and deployability [2] Financial Performance - Revenue reached $519 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 57.1% year-over-year increase, with projections for full-year revenue between $1.8 billion and $2.0 billion [3] - The company has shown significant improvement in gross margins, with GAAP gross margin at 29.2% and non-GAAP at 30.4%, while product margins are around 36% [3] - Operating income for Q3 2025 was reported at $7.8 million, with adjusted operating income at $46.2 million, and a net loss of $29 million for 2024, down from approximately $300 million in 2023 [3] - Free cash flow is nearing breakeven, supported by positive operating cash flow for four consecutive quarters [3] Debt and Capital Structure - Bloom Energy's debt is estimated between $300 million and $400 million, with gross cash around $300 million, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 65% [4] - The company has improved its interest coverage ratio to about 1.3 times, indicating better debt servicing capability [4] Market Position and Growth Potential - Bloom Energy has deployed over 1.5 GW of stationary fuel cell solutions, significantly outpacing competitors, and has established a strong client base among blue-chip companies [2] - The company is expected to benefit from continued revenue growth, with base-case valuations suggesting modest gains and upside scenarios indicating potential for higher valuations [5] Stock Performance - The stock price has experienced a dramatic increase, rising from $15 to intraday peaks above $140 in late 2025 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The market is overly focused on when Big Tech will monetize AI investments, while the real risk lies in the physical constraints of scaling AI infrastructure, particularly in power, cooling, and infrastructure needs [1][2]. Industry Insights - AI data center power demand is projected to surge significantly, with Wells Fargo estimating a 550% increase by 2026 and an astonishing 8,050% growth by 2030 [13][14]. - The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global data center power demand to more than double from approximately 415 TWh in 2024 to around 945 TWh by 2030 [13]. - The Boston Consulting Group anticipates a growth in global data center power demand from 82 GW in 2025 to 127 GW by 2028, representing a 55% increase [17]. Company Focus: Bloom Energy - Bloom Energy is positioned to address the urgent power needs of AI data centers through onsite power generation using solid oxide fuel cells, reducing dependency on the grid [5][20]. - The company has seen strong revenue growth, reporting $519.05 million in Q3 2025, a 57.1% year-over-year increase, driven by demand for its fuel cell technology [33][36]. - Bloom Energy's product revenue grew by 64% year-over-year, with installation revenue spiking 105% year-over-year, indicating robust demand and favorable pricing [39][41]. Financial Performance - Bloom Energy's GAAP operating margin has improved, moving into positive territory, with adjusted operating profits growing by 470% year-over-year [41][43]. - The company reported positive operating cash flows and free cash flows in Q3 2025, indicating a strong financial position [47][51]. - Analysts expect adjusted EPS to grow by 95.9% year-over-year in 2026, reflecting strong operational efficiency and market demand [44]. Competitive Landscape - Power availability is a critical competitive advantage, as companies that can deploy GPUs faster will have a significant lead over those hindered by power constraints [9][10]. - Major tech companies like Microsoft and Meta are investing heavily in AI, with power availability being a key consideration for their data center expansions [7][12]. - Bloom Energy's ability to provide rapid onsite power solutions positions it favorably against traditional energy providers facing long interconnection timelines [24][26].

Core Viewpoint - Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) is experiencing heightened attention on Wall Street, with Jefferies analyst raising the price target to $92.00 from $53.00 while maintaining an Underperform rating due to peak valuations leaving little room for error [1][4]. Group 1: Revenue Estimates and Expectations - Jefferies has raised its 2026 revenue estimates for Bloom Energy to $2.9 billion, which is 16% higher than consensus estimates, driven by AEP and Quanta orders [2]. - There are high expectations from investors ahead of Bloom Energy's quarterly report, particularly regarding capacity expansions beyond what has already been announced [3]. Group 2: Market Focus and Execution Risks - The firm anticipates a shift in market focus from macroeconomic tailwinds to execution risks, emphasizing the need for confidence in future deployments and management clarity [3]. - Despite strong macroeconomic factors supporting Bloom Energy, the maintained Underperform rating reflects concerns over peak valuations and execution risks [4]. Group 3: Industry Context - Bloom Energy develops solid-oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation, addressing the increasing energy demands of AI data centers [4].

Core Viewpoint - The enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) stocks may be outpacing their underlying business models, raising concerns about sustainability and future performance [1][2]. Group 1: AI Market Dynamics - Significant spending on AI firms is not self-sustaining, with many companies relying on venture capital rather than established business models [2]. - OpenAI plans to spend approximately $1.4 trillion on computing resources over the next five years while still facing losses, indicating a reliance on external funding [3]. - Structural challenges such as energy supply constraints, data center limitations, and community resistance could pose risks to AI stocks [3]. Group 2: Viability of AI Products - The majority of users (95%) utilize Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for free, raising doubts about the ability to monetize these products effectively [4]. - Competitive pressures are increasing, with Chinese companies offering similar LLM capabilities for as low as $3 per month [5]. Group 3: Hedge Fund Interest - Hedge funds are focusing on AI stocks, as research indicates that mimicking top hedge fund stock picks can lead to market outperformance [6]. - The article highlights specific AI stocks that are popular among hedge funds, indicating a trend in investment strategies [5]. Group 4: Company-Specific Insights - **Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE)**: - The stock has 64 hedge fund holders, with Jefferies raising its price target to $92.00 while maintaining an Underperform rating due to high expectations and execution risks [8][10]. - Anticipated 2026 revenue is projected to reach $2.9 billion, 16% higher than consensus estimates, driven by AEP and Quanta orders [9]. - The company develops solid-oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation, catering to the energy demands of AI data centers [11]. - **International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)**: - The stock has 66 hedge fund holders, with Evercore ISI reiterating an Underperform rating and a price target of $330.00 ahead of its earnings report [12]. - Expected revenue is around $19.2 billion with earnings per share of $4.29, supported by momentum in the Infrastructure segment and cost-saving initiatives [14][15]. - Investors are also interested in AI bookings and revenue details as part of IBM's ongoing AI consulting services and software offerings [16].

Company Performance - Bloom Energy's stock decreased by 3.64% to $139.62, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.5% [1] - Over the past month, Bloom Energy's shares have appreciated by 60.67%, significantly outperforming the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 7.06% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.18% [1] Earnings Forecast - Bloom Energy is expected to report earnings of $0.25 per share on February 5, 2026, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 41.86% [2] - The consensus estimate for revenue is projected at $649.12 million, which is an increase of 13.41% from the same quarter last year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are projected at $0.52 per share, indicating an increase of 85.71% from the previous year, while revenue is expected to remain stable at $1.9 billion [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Bloom Energy are important as they often reflect short-term business dynamics, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3] Valuation Metrics - Bloom Energy has a Forward P/E ratio of 155.46, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 19.14 [6] - The company's PEG ratio stands at 6.22, compared to the industry average PEG ratio of 1.45 [6] Industry Context - The Alternative Energy - Other industry, part of the Oils-Energy sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 160, placing it in the bottom 35% of over 250 industries [7] - Strong individual industry groups, as measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, tend to outperform weaker groups by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Core Insights - Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) is recognized as a leading AI energy stock with significant growth potential [2] Group 1: Share Price and Market Performance - On January 16, 2026, Bloom Energy's shares reached an all-time high of $147.93, reflecting a 470.43% increase over the past year due to strong investor momentum [2] - The company's growth is attributed to its expanding role in next-generation distributed power solutions and increasing demand driven by grid constraints and data center load growth [2] Group 2: Strategic Developments - On January 8, 2026, a subsidiary of American Electric Power agreed to acquire a substantial portion of Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cells, resulting in a $2.65 billion unconditional agreement under a 20-year offtake arrangement [3] - Analysts view this agreement as a significant achievement, with Evercore ISI highlighting that expected volumes exceed minimum commitments, reinforcing Bloom Energy's commercial pipeline [4] Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Evercore ISI reiterated an 'Outperform' rating for Bloom Energy with a price target of $152 on January 8, 2026, reflecting confidence in the company's growth prospects [4] - Clear Street raised its price target for Bloom Energy from $58 to $68 while maintaining a 'Hold' rating, indicating positive sentiment regarding the company's sales momentum [4] Group 4: Company Focus - Bloom Energy specializes in designing and installing solid oxide fuel cell systems that generate electricity from natural gas or biogas, providing low-emission power solutions for utilities and commercial customers [5]

Core Insights - Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) is recognized as a leading AI energy stock with significant growth potential [2] Group 1: Share Price and Market Performance - On January 16, 2026, Bloom Energy's shares reached an all-time high of $147.93, reflecting a 470.43% increase over the past year due to strong investor momentum [2] - The company's growth is attributed to its expanding role in next-generation distributed power solutions and increasing demand driven by grid constraints and data center load growth [2] Group 2: Strategic Developments - On January 8, 2026, a subsidiary of American Electric Power agreed to acquire a substantial portion of Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cells, resulting in a $2.65 billion unconditional agreement under a 20-year offtake arrangement [3] - Analysts have noted this agreement as a significant achievement, with Evercore ISI highlighting that expected volumes exceed minimum commitments, reinforcing Bloom Energy's commercial pipeline [4] Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Evercore ISI reiterated an 'Outperform' rating for Bloom Energy with a price target of $152 on January 8, 2026, while Clear Street raised its price target from $58 to $68, maintaining a 'Hold' rating [4]