Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG), a clean energy company valued at $2.16 billion, has been on a rollercoaster ride, delivering hydrogen and zero-emissions fuel cell solutions. Despite its notable long-term gains, the stock has seen a sharp decline of 95% from its 2021 highs, triggered by disappointing Q3 results and a “going concern” warning.
With CEO Andy Marsh assuring investors of the company’s fundamental soundness and plans to shed the “going concern” label, the question arises: Is Plug Power stock a good buy at its current levels?
Financial Challenges and Market Trends
In the volatile landscape of clean energy stocks, Plug Power faces challenges. The company reported a free cash outflow of $1.26 billion in 2022, leading to multiple rounds of equity capital raises. Shareholder wealth has been significantly diluted, with outstanding shares increasing 15 times to nearly 600 million.
During the earnings call, Plug Power acknowledged the need for additional capital to sustain operations, emphasizing it as a “going concern.” However, CEO Andy Marsh downplayed this as an “accounting technicality,” expressing confidence in the company’s ability to generate capital, citing a robust $5 billion balance sheet with no debt.
Long-Term Growth Prospects
Despite current challenges, Plug Power holds a first-mover advantage, having deployed over 60,000 fuel cell systems. The company forecasts a sales inflection point, projecting $1.7 billion in sales by 2024, $5 billion in 2025, and an ambitious $20 billion by 2030. With a focus on the green hydrogen segment, forecasted to exceed $134 billion by 2032, Plug Power aims to capitalize on this expanding market.
To achieve these goals, the company needs to expand its manufacturing capacity and leverage economies of scale to boost profit margins. The long-term forecast includes a gross margin of 30% and an operating margin of 17% by 2025, increasing to a gross margin of 55% and an operating margin of 20% by 2030.
Analyst Sentiment and Target Price
Post the “going concern” warning, analysts adjusted their ratings on Plug Power, expressing near-term concerns related to hydrogen shortages and expected delays in Department of Energy (DoE) funding. Oppenheimer downgraded the stock from “outperform” to “market perform.”
However, the overall sentiment on Wall Street remains bullish, with 6 analysts recommending a “strong buy” and 16 recommending a “hold” out of the 22 covering Plug Power stock. The average target price stands at $8.18, suggesting an implied upside of 131% from current trading prices.
In conclusion, investing in Plug Power stock entails navigating through its current challenges while considering its promising long-term growth prospects in the evolving clean energy landscape.
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Author Faith Yakubu 
