Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG – Get Free Report) and Ocean Power Technologies (NASDAQ:OPTT – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk.
Profitability
This table compares Plug Power and Ocean Power Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Plug Power | -220.59% | -56.01% | -21.09% |
| Ocean Power Technologies | -304.91% | -97.03% | -72.36% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Plug Power and Ocean Power Technologies, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Plug Power | 3 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 2.25 |
| Ocean Power Technologies | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.50 |
Volatility and Risk
Plug Power has a beta of 2.13, suggesting that its share price is 113% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ocean Power Technologies has a beta of 3, suggesting that its share price is 200% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional and Insider Ownership
43.5% of Plug Power shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 11.9% of Ocean Power Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Plug Power shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Ocean Power Technologies shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Plug Power and Ocean Power Technologies”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Plug Power | $709.92 million | 2.85 | -$1.63 billion | ($1.26) | -1.15 |
| Ocean Power Technologies | $4.26 million | 1.07 | -$27.48 million | ($6.69) | -0.06 |
Ocean Power Technologies has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Plug Power. Plug Power is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ocean Power Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Plug Power beats Ocean Power Technologies on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Plug Power
Plug Power Inc. develops hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers GenDrive, a hydrogen-fueled proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system that provides power to material handling electric vehicles; GenSure, a stationary fuel cell solution that offers modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid-support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors; ProGen, a fuel cell stack and engine technology used in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems, and as engines in electric delivery vans; GenFuel, a liquid hydrogen fueling delivery, generation, storage, and dispensing system; GenCare, an ongoing Internet of Things-based maintenance and on-site service program for GenDrive fuel cell systems, GenSure fuel cell systems, GenFuel hydrogen storage and dispensing products, and ProGen fuel cell engines; and GenKey, an integrated turn-key solution for transitioning to fuel cell power. It also provides electrolyzers, a hydrogen generator for clean hydrogen production; liquefaction systems that provides liquid hydrogen to customers; cryogenic equipment for the distribution of liquified hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen and other cryogenic gases, including trailers and mobile storage equipment; and liquid hydrogen, an alternative fuel to fossil-based energy. The company sells its products through a direct product sales force, original equipment manufacturers, and dealer networks. Plug Power Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Latham, New York.
About Ocean Power Technologies
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. develops and commercializes proprietary power platforms that generate electricity by harnessing the renewable energy of ocean waves in North America, South America, Australia, and Asia. It offers PB3 PowerBuoy that generates power for use independent of the power grid in offshore locations. The company also provides Next Generation PowerBuoy; subsea battery systems; and software, controls, sensors, integration services, and marine installation services. In addition, it offers Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel (WAM-V) technology, which enables roaming capabilities for uncrewed maritime systems in waters; leases WAM-V robotics and access information; maritime domain awareness solutions; and strategic consulting services. Further, the company provides offshore data collection, integration, analytics, and real time communication for various applications. It serves public and private entities, and agencies that require remote offshore power. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 1984 and is headquartered in Monroe Township, New Jersey.
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