Plug Power, New European Customer Expands Footprint, Third Quarter Earnings Preview

Company Description

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) founded in 1997 and headquartered in Latham, New York, is a clean energy company focused on designing, developing, manufacturing and commercializing hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company also has facilities in Spokane, Washington and Boulogne-Billancourt, France

Plug Power’s primary focus has been in the materials handling market, specifically electric forklifts and pallet jacks.  It is now broadening its scope and focusing on electric vehicles and other industrial applications. The company offers an array of products for all phases of the energy consumption process including hydrogen fuel cell engines, hydrogen fuel cell systems, fueling delivery systems, stationary back up fuel cells, and maintenance services.

Notable customers include Nike, BMW, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Mercedes-Benz, Kroger, and Whole Foods, and Amazon. The company was founded in 1997 as a joint venture between DTE Energy and Mechanical Technology and subsequently went public in 2002.

Products and Services

Hydrogen fuel cells have several advantages over typical lead-acid batteries.  They are more reliable and can withstand more extreme temperatures and rugged environments. Other benefits include:

  • Significantly shorter recharge times;
  • Ability to hold more energy;
  • Reduced greenhouse emissions;
  • Fewer replacements; and
  • Less costly to dispose of since materials are less hazardous.

Product Catalogue:

  • ProGen: Hydrogen fuel engine that is used as a component for the GenDrive and GenSure. It enhances the electric range (duration) and has a wide range of transportation applications. ProGen is generally sold as a component within Plug Power’s other products, but can also be sold standalone (provided ProGen engines to Fedex).
  • GenDrive: Hydrogen Fueled Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system used to power material handling vehicles.
  • GenFuel: A delivery system to provide refueling to Plug Power products.
  • GenSure (formerly ReliOn): Stationary fuel cell that provides back up power, grid supplementation, and off grid power.
  • GenCare: A maintenance program for Plug Power products. This includes advanced system monitoring, preventative maintenance, periodic system enhancements, parts inventory logs, training, and rapid response onsite services.

All products integrate together to create a complete solution: GenKey. It is a solution for customers transitioning their material handling vehicles or stationary power applications from typical lead batteries to hydrogen fuel cell power. GenKey solution includes GenFuel, GenCare, and GenDrive or GenSure.

 

Recent Developments

Traders News Source previously wrote about Plug Power in April after the company announced a new multi-year dear with Amazon, which introduced hydrogen fuel cell technology to 11 distribution warehouses, with additional facilities to be added later. A few months later, the company announced that it had expanded its partnership with Wal-Mart, deploying hydrogen fueling stations and fuel cell technology to 30 additional Wal-Mart sites over the next three years.  Plug Power also obtained additional balance sheet flexibility by increasing its loan facility from $25 million to $45 million.

On October 31, 2017, the company disclosed a new agreement with Toyota Material Handling Norway to provide hydrogen fuel cell technology to Asko, a Norwegian grocery wholesaler. Asko will incorporate GenDrive fuel cells into its fleet of industrial forklifts at the company’s distribution center in Trondheim, Norway, with the possibility of converting all 95 trucks to fuel cells. The Trondheim facility is serving as a pilot project, and if successful Asko may deploy hydrogen fuel cells at its 13 regional warehouses. Hydrogen will be produced onsite via electrolysis technology provided by NEL ASA. The new fleet will likely be deployed in the fourth quarter of this year.

This deal allows Plug Power to gain an additional foothold in Europe, and shows that it can deliver productivity enhancing solutions for its clients. Furthermore, it demonstrates that it can help its customers (particularly in Europe) meet their energy and sustainability goals. For instance, Asko has pledged to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent and convert to 100 percent renewable fuel by 2020. In support of these goals, Plug Power presented with Asko and Toyota at the Zero Emission Conference, one of the largest and longest running climate solutions conferences in Europe.

Third Quarter Earnings Preview

Results for the third quarter will be a critical indicator of whether management is finally delivering on the profitability front. Plug Power was originally supposed to reach positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in 2015, but has yet to do so.

 

As noted in our prior report, the company affirmed earlier full-year guidance for 2017:

 

  • Total GAAP Revenue of $130 million;
  • GAAP Gross Margin of 8% to 12%;
  • Bookings of $325 million; and
  • $25 to $35 million of net cash used in operating and investing activities.

 

Given the company’s first half results, the second half is expected to be significantly stronger. First half revenue totaled $36.0 million, with an adjusted gross margin of negative $8.0 million (negative 22 percent) and free cash flow totaling negative $75.4 million. This suggests that the second half of 2017 will yield revenue of $94.0 million, adjusted gross margin of $18.4 million to $23.6 million (20 – 25 percent).

While significantly better than recent figures, the implied second half results are not entirely unrealistic. On the second quarter earnings call, management was confident that the largest headwinds had passed, and that the company would begin to see a return on earlier investments.

As detailed in our first report, the Amazon deal alone will generate $70 million in 2017, and most of that will be realized in the third and fourth quarter. The company may also book additional revenue from the recently expanded deal with Wal-Mart. However, investors should prepare for the possibility of another quarter of mediocre results, as the vast majority of revenue (including the Asko deal) could be pushed to the fourth quarter.

Other items to watch for include cash reserves, the company’s burn rate, and the number of shares outstanding, which has risen steadily in the past few years.

 

Stock Performance

As of November 2, 2017, shares of Plug Power closed at $2.88 after gaining more than two percent on the day, yielding a market capitalization of approximately $650 million. Plug Power hit a one-year high of $3.07 in early October, but retreated shortly thereafter showing strong resistance at $2.50. The new deal with Asko helped to push the share price back towards $3.00. Since we reported on the Amazon deal back in April, Plug Power has gained 28 percent.

 

 

Following are selected analyst ratings and price targets:

Analyst Firm Rating Price Target Date
Eric Stine Craig-Hallum Buy $4.00 10/6/2017
Amit Dayal Rodman & Renshaw Buy $4.00 8/9/2017
Jeffrey Osborne Cowen Buy $3.00 8/8/2017

 

We note that Eric Stine of Craig-Hallum updated his price target from $3.00 to $4.00

 

Stock Influences

  • Improved profitability on the company’s existing business;
  • Entry into the Chinese market;
  • Possible applications of the company’s technology to consumer vehicles; and
  • Further large customer wins.

 

Risk Factors

  • The company’s customer base is highly concentrated and highly dependent on two large customers;
  • The company has yet to reach profitability, and it is uncertain when earnings will turn positive;
  • Product costs are not yet competitive with existing technologies; and
  • Due to recent agreements with Amazon and Wal-Mart, investors face significant dilution risk.

 

Summary

The Asko deal is a nice addition to Plug Power’s existing book of business. Due to regulation and other factors, European customers are more motivated to implement renewable energy technologies. This deal should help the company further establish itself in the region, and hopefully yield additional customer wins.

 

The implied second half results suggest third quarter numbers will be strong, but Plug Power investors have been burned before. The focus will be on top-line results, but profitability and cash flows will be just as important.

 

Welcome to Traders News Source

Our track record speaks for itself…

 

Traders News Source recent profiles and track record, 487% in verifiable potential gains for our members on 3 small cap alerts alone! These are just three examples from over two dozen winners this year. 

 

January 31st, 2017 (NASDAQ: HIMX) opened at $5.10/share and hit a high of $9.68/share March 24th, 2017 for gains of 89% within 60 days- http://finance.yahoo.com/news/himax-technologies-review-4q-2016-130000319.html

 

May 23rd, 2016- (NYSE: XXII) opened at $.87/share hit a high of $3.03/share so far our member potential gains- 248% – http://mailchi.mp/tradersnewssource/updates-5-of-our-profiles-for-212-400-and-whats-coming-next?e=[UNIQID]

 

October 31st, 2017 (NASDAQ: PYDS) Although we have been covering this security for over a year, our recent coverage October 31st, 2017 opened at $1.45/share hit $4.10 within three days for gains of over 150%- http://mailchi.mp/tradersnewssource/update-pyds-back-in-the-value-zone-with-news-out?e=[UNIQID]

 

So, if you’ve been on the fence, perhaps it’s time to start doing some research and verify our numbers for yourself. We are constantly raising the bar and separate ourselves from the rest of the small-cap newsletters as the best in business.

We know with a large following comes a large responsibility as we have everyone from institutional investors to the beginner following our profiled securities in our newsletter. This is something we take very seriously always seeking small cap growth companies that have both near and long-term potential for our members.

Big Opportunities Trading Small Cap Stocks

***Get our small cap profiles, special situation and watch alerts in real time. We are now offering our VIP – SMS/text alert service for free, simply text the word “Traders” to the phone number “25827” from your cell phone***

 

Disclaimer

 

Traders News Source is a wholly owned subsidiary of Traders News Source LLC, herein referred to as TNS LLC.

Traders News Source has not been compensated for this report by anyone and the opinions if any are that of the author Ivan Neilson, CFA. Author’s Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I, wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in the article.

This web site, published by TNS LLC, and is an investment newsletter that is built on the premise of assisting individual investors in learning about investing. Our goal as publishers of financial information is to provide research and analysis of investments to our subscribers. TNS LLC does not give buy or sell recommendations. We do purchase distribution rights from analyst, financial writers and bloggers for a fee that may be licensed to issue price targets and recommendations. Furthermore, we encourage you to speak to a licensed professional prior to making an investment in any type of publicly traded security.

We do sell advertising to other companies including brokerage firms, web sites, publicly traded issuers, investor relations firms, and investment publications, among others. TNS LLC makes no warranty as to the policies of these organizations, and in no way endorses their offers, services, or the content of their advertisements.

When an advertiser is a publicly traded company or a third party acting on behalf of a public company, we fully disclose all compensation in the email advertisement. Such disclosure is included in a disclosure statement in each of the advertisements sent via email.

17B Disclosure

Our reports/releases are a commercial advertisement and are for general information purposes ONLY. We are engaged in the business of marketing and advertising companies for monetary compensation. Never invest in any stock featured on our site or emails unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. The disclaimer is to be read and fully understood before using our services, joining our site or our email/blog list as well as any social networking platforms we may use.

PLEASE NOTE WELL: TNS LLC and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever.

Release of Liability: Through use of this website viewing or using you agree to hold TNS LLC, its operator’s owners and employees harmless and to completely release them from any and all liability due to any and all loss (monetary or otherwise), damage (monetary or otherwise), or injury (monetary or otherwise) that you may incur. The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate and does not purport to be a complete statement or summary of the available data. TNS LLC encourages readers and investors to supplement the information in these reports with independent research and other professional advice. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources and TNS LLC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the disclosure by the profiled companies. None of the materials or advertisements herein constitute offers or solicitations to purchase or sell securities of the companies profiled herein and any decision to invest in any such company or other financial decisions should not be made based upon the information provide herein. Instead TNS LLC strongly urges you conduct a complete and independent investigation of the respective companies and consideration of all pertinent risks. Readers are advised to review SEC periodic reports: Forms 10-Q, 10K, Form 8-K, insider reports, Forms 3, 4, 5 Schedule 13D.

TNS LLC is compliant with the Can Spam Act of 2003. TNS LLC does not offer such advice or analysis, and TNS LLC further urges you to consult your own independent tax, business, financial and investment advisors. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investor’s investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a ‘safe harbor’ in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be “forward looking statements”. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as “projects”, “foresee”, “expects”, “will”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “believes”, “understands”, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; “may”, “could”, or “might” occur.

Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. In preparing this publication, TNS LLC has relied upon information supplied by its customers, publicly available information and press releases which it believes to be reliable; however, such reliability cannot be guaranteed. Investors should not rely on the information contained in this website. Rather, investors should use the information contained in this website as a starting point for doing additional independent research on the featured companies. The advertisements in this website are believed to be reliable, however, TNS LLC and its owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, representatives and agents disclaim any liability as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in any advertisement and for any omissions of materials facts from such advertisement. TNS LLC is not responsible for any claims made by the companies advertised herein, nor is TNS LLC responsible for any other promotional firm, its program or its structure.