Plug Power and Blink Q1 Earnings Show Significant Improvement
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
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Should l Buy PLUG?
Source: stocktwits
- Plug Power Revenue Growth: Plug Power reported $163.5 million in revenue for Q1 2026, a 22% year-over-year increase driven by growth in material handling and electrolyzer businesses, surpassing analysts' expectations of $139.76 million, indicating strong market performance.
- Significant Margin Improvement: The company's gross margin improved by 71% year-over-year, attributed to cost reductions, better service execution, and enhanced fuel sourcing efficiency, with the CEO stating that these measures will continue to drive profitability, aiming for positive EBITDA by Q4 2026.
- Blink Charging Business Transformation: Blink Charging's Q1 revenue was $20.8 million, with service revenue rising 25% to $13.3 million year-over-year, indicating a strategic shift towards more stable service revenue despite missing overall revenue estimates, showcasing the effectiveness of its business strategy.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Following the earnings releases, both Plug Power and Blink stocks saw increases, with Plug Power rising over 6% in after-hours trading and Blink up over 2%, reflecting investor optimism regarding the improved financial conditions of both companies.
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Analyst Views on PLUG
Wall Street analysts forecast PLUG stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
8 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 3.560
Low
0.75
Averages
2.46
High
7.00
Current: 3.560
Low
0.75
Averages
2.46
High
7.00
About PLUG
Plug Power Inc. is engaged in providing an end-to-end hydrogen ecosystem, from production, storage, and delivery to energy generation. The Company is focused on delivering hydrogen solutions. Its vertically integrated, end-to-end hydrogen solutions are designed to fit customer needs, including hydrogen production equipment and the delivery of hydrogen fuel, including fuel cells, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, hydrogen liquefiers, liquid hydrogen cryogenic solutions, and hydrogen production. Its product and service portfolio includes GenDrive, GenFuel, GenCare, GenKey, GenEco Electrolyzers, Liquefaction Systems, Cryogenic Equipment, GenSure, and Liquid Hydrogen. GenDrive is a hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system, providing power to material handling electric vehicles (EVs), including Class 1, 2, 3 and 6 electric forklifts, automated guided vehicles, and ground support equipment. GenFuel is a liquid hydrogen fueling, delivery, generation, storage, and dispensing system.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Plug Power Reports Significant Improvement in Q1 Performance
- Accelerated Revenue Growth: Plug Power reported $163.5 million in revenue for Q1, a 22% year-over-year increase that significantly exceeded analysts' expectations of $140 million, indicating strong demand in its materials handling business, particularly with Walmart and Amazon.
- Margin Improvement: The company achieved a 71% improvement in margins during the quarter, driven by sales growth, cost optimization, and fuel sourcing efficiencies, although it still reported an operating loss of approximately $109 million, a substantial reduction from the $178 million loss in the same period last year.
- Future Growth Catalysts: Plug Power has deployed over 320 megawatts of electrolyzer solutions globally and has more than $8 billion in additional projects in the pipeline, highlighting its strong growth potential in industrial and energy applications.
- Clear Profitability Goals: The company aims to achieve positive EBITDA by Q4 this year and positive operating income by the end of next year, with a long-term goal of full profitability by the end of 2028, demonstrating a strategic focus on improving its financial health.
See More
Plug Power Reports Better-Than-Expected Q1 Results
- Strong Performance: Plug Power reported Q1 revenue of $163.51 million, exceeding market expectations, indicating robust growth potential in the hydrogen sector, which is likely to attract further investor interest.
- Reduced Losses: The company posted a loss of $0.08 per share, an improvement from previous quarters, suggesting progress in cost control and operational efficiency, which could enhance investor confidence.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the positive earnings report, Plug Power's stock rose by 4.1% to $3.66, reflecting increased market confidence in the company's future prospects and potentially drawing more institutional investors.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: As the hydrogen market continues to expand, Plug Power's improved performance may lay the groundwork for future growth, particularly in the context of rising emphasis on renewable energy and clean technologies.
See More
Plug Power Reports Strong Q1 Results, Upgrades from Analysts
- Significant Revenue Growth: Plug Power's Q1 revenue surged 22% year-over-year to $163.5 million, exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $139.76 million, showcasing strong performance in its material handling and electrolyzer segments, thereby solidifying its market position.
- Effective Cost-Cutting: Under the ‘Project Quantum Leap’ restructuring initiative, Plug Power has successfully reduced operating expenses, optimized its hydrogen supply mix, and improved fuel margins, enhancing the company's profitability and cash flow management.
- Analyst Price Target Increases: B. Riley Financial raised its price target on Plug Power from $3 to $5 while maintaining a ‘Buy’ rating, reflecting market confidence in the company's growth potential, particularly with projected revenue growth of 13% to 15% in 2026.
- Bullish Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment on Stocktwits surged 1,490%, indicating strong investor optimism about Plug Power's future prospects, with expectations for continued stock price increases, contributing to a remarkable 78% gain in 2026.
See More
Plug Power Shares Surge as Earnings Show Turnaround Potential
- Turnaround Signal: Plug Power's Q1 earnings report released on May 11 shows a significant improvement in gross margins, swinging from a staggering negative 55% in Q1 2025 to negative 13% in Q1 2026, indicating a gradual recovery towards profitability.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company reported a 22% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by higher sales volumes in its material handling and electrolyzer segments, with improved sales and cost control enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Vertical Integration Strategy: By producing green hydrogen in-house and reducing reliance on third-party purchases, Plug Power has significantly improved its fuel margin rate, laying a solid foundation for future profitability through successful implementation of this strategy.
- Analyst Optimism: Following the latest earnings report, analysts have raised their price targets for Plug Power, with Craig-Hallum increasing its target from $4 to $5 and B. Riley from $3 to $5, reflecting growing confidence in the company's future prospects.
See More
Significant Stock Movements for Vestis and Others
- Vestis Earnings Beat: Vestis surged over 30% after reporting fiscal Q2 results that exceeded expectations, along with an upward revision of its fiscal 2026 EBITDA outlook, indicating strong growth potential in the apparel sector.
- Zebra's Strong Performance: Zebra Technologies reported Q1 earnings of $4.75 per share, surpassing the $4.25 expected by analysts, with revenues of $1.5 billion, and Q2 guidance also exceeded estimates, highlighting ongoing growth in the automation sector.
- Ralliant's Earnings Surprise: Ralliant's adjusted Q1 earnings of 57 cents per share exceeded both company guidance and FactSet consensus of 49 cents, leading to a 14% stock increase, reflecting robust demand in the high-precision instruments market.
- Hub Group Financial Restatement: Hub Group's shares fell over 10% after announcing a restatement of its year-end 2023 and 2024 results, which may negatively impact investor confidence.
See More
Plug Power Reports Q1 Loss but Surges 10.8% on Higher Revenues
- Performance Metrics: Plug Power reported a Q1 loss of $109 million, an improvement from a $180 million loss a year earlier, with revenues rising from $134 million to $163.5 million, exceeding Wall Street's forecast of $140 million, indicating a recovery in market performance.
- Customer Impact: Analysts attribute revenue growth to large customers like Amazon and Walmart, which not only enhance the company's market share but also strengthen its competitive position in the electrolyzer market, providing a solid foundation for future growth.
- Stock Volatility: Plug Power's shares surged 12.8% in regular trading on Monday and rose another 10.8% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism about the company's future prospects, especially given that short selling accounts for 25% of the stock's available shares.
- Future Outlook: CEO Jose Luis Crespo stated that the Q1 results demonstrate strong commercial execution and progress towards achieving EBITDAS positivity by Q4 2026, which is expected to further boost investor confidence and drive stock price increases.
See More
Plug Power Reports Significant Improvement in Q1 Performance
- Accelerated Revenue Growth: Plug Power reported $163.5 million in revenue for Q1, a 22% year-over-year increase that significantly exceeded analysts' expectations of $140 million, indicating strong demand in its materials handling business, particularly with Walmart and Amazon.
- Margin Improvement: The company achieved a 71% improvement in margins during the quarter, driven by sales growth, cost optimization, and fuel sourcing efficiencies, although it still reported an operating loss of approximately $109 million, a substantial reduction from the $178 million loss in the same period last year.
- Future Growth Catalysts: Plug Power has deployed over 320 megawatts of electrolyzer solutions globally and has more than $8 billion in additional projects in the pipeline, highlighting its strong growth potential in industrial and energy applications.
- Clear Profitability Goals: The company aims to achieve positive EBITDA by Q4 this year and positive operating income by the end of next year, with a long-term goal of full profitability by the end of 2028, demonstrating a strategic focus on improving its financial health.
See More
Plug Power Reports Better-Than-Expected Q1 Results
- Strong Performance: Plug Power reported Q1 revenue of $163.51 million, exceeding market expectations, indicating robust growth potential in the hydrogen sector, which is likely to attract further investor interest.
- Reduced Losses: The company posted a loss of $0.08 per share, an improvement from previous quarters, suggesting progress in cost control and operational efficiency, which could enhance investor confidence.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the positive earnings report, Plug Power's stock rose by 4.1% to $3.66, reflecting increased market confidence in the company's future prospects and potentially drawing more institutional investors.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: As the hydrogen market continues to expand, Plug Power's improved performance may lay the groundwork for future growth, particularly in the context of rising emphasis on renewable energy and clean technologies.
See More
Plug Power Reports Strong Q1 Results, Upgrades from Analysts
- Significant Revenue Growth: Plug Power's Q1 revenue surged 22% year-over-year to $163.5 million, exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $139.76 million, showcasing strong performance in its material handling and electrolyzer segments, thereby solidifying its market position.
- Effective Cost-Cutting: Under the ‘Project Quantum Leap’ restructuring initiative, Plug Power has successfully reduced operating expenses, optimized its hydrogen supply mix, and improved fuel margins, enhancing the company's profitability and cash flow management.
- Analyst Price Target Increases: B. Riley Financial raised its price target on Plug Power from $3 to $5 while maintaining a ‘Buy’ rating, reflecting market confidence in the company's growth potential, particularly with projected revenue growth of 13% to 15% in 2026.
- Bullish Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment on Stocktwits surged 1,490%, indicating strong investor optimism about Plug Power's future prospects, with expectations for continued stock price increases, contributing to a remarkable 78% gain in 2026.
See More
Plug Power Shares Surge as Earnings Show Turnaround Potential
- Turnaround Signal: Plug Power's Q1 earnings report released on May 11 shows a significant improvement in gross margins, swinging from a staggering negative 55% in Q1 2025 to negative 13% in Q1 2026, indicating a gradual recovery towards profitability.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company reported a 22% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by higher sales volumes in its material handling and electrolyzer segments, with improved sales and cost control enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Vertical Integration Strategy: By producing green hydrogen in-house and reducing reliance on third-party purchases, Plug Power has significantly improved its fuel margin rate, laying a solid foundation for future profitability through successful implementation of this strategy.
- Analyst Optimism: Following the latest earnings report, analysts have raised their price targets for Plug Power, with Craig-Hallum increasing its target from $4 to $5 and B. Riley from $3 to $5, reflecting growing confidence in the company's future prospects.
See More
Significant Stock Movements for Vestis and Others
- Vestis Earnings Beat: Vestis surged over 30% after reporting fiscal Q2 results that exceeded expectations, along with an upward revision of its fiscal 2026 EBITDA outlook, indicating strong growth potential in the apparel sector.
- Zebra's Strong Performance: Zebra Technologies reported Q1 earnings of $4.75 per share, surpassing the $4.25 expected by analysts, with revenues of $1.5 billion, and Q2 guidance also exceeded estimates, highlighting ongoing growth in the automation sector.
- Ralliant's Earnings Surprise: Ralliant's adjusted Q1 earnings of 57 cents per share exceeded both company guidance and FactSet consensus of 49 cents, leading to a 14% stock increase, reflecting robust demand in the high-precision instruments market.
- Hub Group Financial Restatement: Hub Group's shares fell over 10% after announcing a restatement of its year-end 2023 and 2024 results, which may negatively impact investor confidence.
See More
Plug Power Reports Q1 Loss but Surges 10.8% on Higher Revenues
- Performance Metrics: Plug Power reported a Q1 loss of $109 million, an improvement from a $180 million loss a year earlier, with revenues rising from $134 million to $163.5 million, exceeding Wall Street's forecast of $140 million, indicating a recovery in market performance.
- Customer Impact: Analysts attribute revenue growth to large customers like Amazon and Walmart, which not only enhance the company's market share but also strengthen its competitive position in the electrolyzer market, providing a solid foundation for future growth.
- Stock Volatility: Plug Power's shares surged 12.8% in regular trading on Monday and rose another 10.8% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism about the company's future prospects, especially given that short selling accounts for 25% of the stock's available shares.
- Future Outlook: CEO Jose Luis Crespo stated that the Q1 results demonstrate strong commercial execution and progress towards achieving EBITDAS positivity by Q4 2026, which is expected to further boost investor confidence and drive stock price increases.
See More
