Tearsheet

ESS Tech (GWH)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $2.23 | Market Cap: $27.4 Mil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

ESS Tech (GWH)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $2.23
Market Cap: $27.4 Mil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -76%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -138%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -168%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -77 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -1247%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Renewable Energy Transition, and Smart Grids & Grid Modernization. Themes include Battery Storage & Grid Modernization, Long-Duration Energy Storage, Show more.
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 10%
Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -17%
2   Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1114%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1231%
3   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -464%
4   High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 256%
0 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -76%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Renewable Energy Transition, and Smart Grids & Grid Modernization. Themes include Battery Storage & Grid Modernization, Long-Duration Energy Storage, Show more.
2 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -138%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -168%
3 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 10%
4 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -77 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -1247%
5 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -17%
6 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1114%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1231%
7 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -464%
8 High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 256%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

GWH Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are five key points explaining the stock movement of ESS Tech (GWH) from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025: 1. Announcement of a Major Pilot Project: On October 9, 2025, ESS Tech announced a new 50 MWh long-duration energy storage pilot project with Salt River Project (SRP), a significant validation for the company's technology. This news was a major catalyst, with the stock surging by nearly 379% in the week leading up to October 14, 2025, and specifically by 94.67% on October 10, 2025.

2. Successful Capital Raising Initiatives: ESS Tech announced on October 14, 2025, the closing of a $40 million financing transaction with Yorkville Advisors Global. Additionally, the company initiated plans for a $75 million at-the-market (ATM) equity program, significantly enhancing its liquidity and providing capital for manufacturing and project execution.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
GWH Return-15%-79%-53%-66%-60%-98%
Peers Return19%25%-5%97%74%25%504%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
GWH Win Rate 50%33%33%25%30% 
Peers Win Rate55%65%40%65%63%66% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
GWH Max Drawdown--24%-82%-67%-74%-86% 
Peers Max Drawdown-49%-8%-35%-8%-7%-28% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: POWL, ETN, EMR, VRT, AME.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventGWHS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-96.7%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven2911.9%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss -33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven 51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven104 days148 days

Compare to POWL, ETN, EMR, VRT, AME


In The Past

ESS Tech's stock fell -96.7% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 10/12/2021. A -96.7% loss requires a 2911.9% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About ESS Tech (GWH)

Better Bets than ESS Tech (GWH)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Title
0ARTICLES

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to GWH. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for ESS Tech

Peers to compare with:

Financials

GWHPOWLETNEMRVRTAMEMedian
NameESS Tech Powell I.Eaton Emerson .Vertiv AMETEK  
Mkt Price2.27323.48335.57134.89178.88199.22189.05
Mkt Cap0.03.9130.575.868.346.057.2
Rev LTM61,08126,63317,7799,6967,1648,430
Op Inc LTM-772115,0493,3391,7481,8741,811
FCF LTM-76813,3222,7411,3651,6431,504
FCF 3Y Avg-751303,1142,0431,0151,5911,303
CFO LTM-691014,1043,1721,5601,7681,664
CFO 3Y Avg-681413,8812,4251,1781,7221,450

Growth & Margins

GWHPOWLETNEMRVRTAMEMedian
NameESS Tech Powell I.Eaton Emerson .Vertiv AMETEK  
Rev Chg LTM-17.0%14.3%8.2%4.8%28.8%3.7%6.5%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg165.9%30.0%9.7%24.9%21.4%5.9%23.1%
Rev Chg Q577.6%-0.7%10.1%3.9%29.0%10.8%10.5%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM48.4%-0.2%2.5%1.0%6.6%2.6%2.6%
Op Mgn LTM-1,246.9%19.5%19.0%18.8%18.0%26.2%18.9%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-1,828.9%14.1%17.8%17.5%15.3%25.7%16.4%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM881.4%0.3%0.1%0.5%0.6%-0.1%0.4%
CFO/Rev LTM-1,113.9%9.3%15.4%17.8%16.1%24.7%15.7%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-1,430.3%16.5%15.8%14.7%14.5%25.1%15.2%
FCF/Rev LTM-1,231.0%7.5%12.5%15.4%14.1%22.9%13.3%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-1,576.5%15.4%12.6%12.4%12.5%23.2%12.6%

Valuation

GWHPOWLETNEMRVRTAMEMedian
NameESS Tech Powell I.Eaton Emerson .Vertiv AMETEK  
Mkt Cap0.03.9130.575.868.346.057.2
P/S2.62.35.54.25.96.14.8
P/EBIT-0.212.129.023.337.823.523.4
P/E-0.214.537.128.355.729.528.9
P/CFO-0.225.235.523.636.924.524.9
Total Yield-459.9%7.2%3.0%3.9%1.9%4.0%3.5%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.3%0.3%0.4%0.1%0.6%0.3%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-181.6%10.4%2.7%3.3%3.2%4.1%3.2%
D/E0.10.00.10.20.10.10.1
Net D/E0.0-0.20.10.20.00.00.0

Returns

GWHPOWLETNEMRVRTAMEMedian
NameESS Tech Powell I.Eaton Emerson .Vertiv AMETEK  
1M Rtn-39.9%-17.1%-13.0%-3.3%-6.5%0.3%-9.7%
3M Rtn64.5%25.9%-1.9%4.6%42.5%8.2%17.1%
6M Rtn78.7%82.7%3.2%11.8%58.7%12.8%35.7%
12M Rtn-62.9%20.8%-9.1%2.8%39.8%3.2%3.0%
3Y Rtn-95.5%1,164.4%114.5%47.8%1,115.8%40.7%81.1%
1M Excs Rtn-39.9%-17.1%-12.9%-3.2%-6.5%0.3%-9.7%
3M Excs Rtn72.0%14.2%-8.7%-3.6%37.1%0.9%7.6%
6M Excs Rtn64.0%67.9%-11.5%-2.9%43.9%-1.9%21.0%
12M Excs Rtn-77.3%8.0%-23.0%-10.1%26.9%-10.4%-10.2%
3Y Excs Rtn-168.0%1,121.7%42.7%-20.9%1,198.1%-27.0%10.9%

Financials

Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity1,270,373
Short Interest: % Change Since 103120258.0%
Average Daily Volume802,130
Days-to-Cover Short Interest1.58
Basic Shares Quantity12,271,587
Short % of Basic Shares10.4%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
6302025814202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025515202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024331202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241114202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024814202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024508202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023314202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231114202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023809202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023510202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022302202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221103202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022812202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022513202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021304202210-K 12/31/2021