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Plug Power vs. Bloom Energy: Which Fuel Cell Stock Should You Bet On?
ZACKSยท 2025-06-30 14:31
Core Viewpoint - Plug Power Inc. and Bloom Energy Corporation are key players in the fuel cell technology market, both experiencing growth opportunities in the green hydrogen sector due to rising demand for clean energy solutions and government decarbonization initiatives [1][2] Group 1: Plug Power Analysis - Plug Power has faced declining sales in hydrogen equipment and infrastructure, with revenues impacted by reduced hydrogen site installations, dropping from 52 to 15 installations year-over-year in 2024, and further down to one in Q1 2025 [3][4] - The company reported a negative gross margin of 55% and an operating cash outflow of $105.6 million in Q1 2025, leading to reliance on equity sales for funding, raising $267.5 million in Q1 2025 and totaling $857.9 million in 2024 [5][10] - Despite current challenges, Plug Power has long-term growth potential in the green hydrogen market, projected to reach $30 billion by 2030, supported by its expertise in electrolyzer deployment [6][10] - The company is implementing Project Quantum Leap, aiming for over $200 million in annualized savings, which is expected to improve cash flow and reduce cash burn [7][8] Group 2: Bloom Energy Analysis - Bloom Energy has deployed approximately 1.4 GW of its Energy Server systems across over 1,000 locations in nine countries, providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions [9] - The company anticipates 19% sales growth and 50% EPS growth in 2025, driven by momentum in the U.S. and South Korea markets [10][13] - Bloom Energy's gross margin improved by 11 percentage points to 27.2% in Q1 2025, indicating strong profitability despite rising costs, with revenue costs increasing by 20% year-over-year [13][14] - The company has a strong position in the renewable energy space, bolstered by strategic partnerships, such as its collaboration with Equinix for sustainable on-site power generation [12][24] Group 3: Comparative Performance - Over the past year, Plug Power's shares have decreased by 49.1%, while Bloom Energy's stock has increased by 95.1% [18] - In terms of valuation, Plug Power has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of negative 2.34X, contrasting with Bloom Energy's forward earnings multiple of 38.22X [20] - Both companies hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), complicating the decision for investors [22]