Tearsheet

Plug Power (PLUG)


Market Price (12/21/2025): $2.215 | Market Cap: $2.6 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Plug Power (PLUG)


Market Price (12/21/2025): $2.215
Market Cap: $2.6 Bil
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 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Hydrogen Economy. Themes include Green Hydrogen Production, Fuel Cell Technology, and Hydrogen Infrastructure.
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -98%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -157%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -942 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -139%
1   Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -77%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -100%
2   Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 101%
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 -87%
4   High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 115%
5   Significant 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 29%
6   Short seller report
7   Key risks
PLUG key risks include [1] a persistent history of unprofitability and a high cash burn rate that raises liquidity concerns, Show more.
0 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Hydrogen Economy. Themes include Green Hydrogen Production, Fuel Cell Technology, and Hydrogen Infrastructure.
1 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -98%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -157%
2 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -942 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -139%
3 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -77%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -100%
4 Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 101%
5 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 -87%
6 High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 115%
7 Significant 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 29%
8 Short seller report
9 Key risks
PLUG key risks include [1] a persistent history of unprofitability and a high cash burn rate that raises liquidity concerns, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

PLUG Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

The user requested an explanation for Plug Power's stock movement between August 31, 2025, and December 21, 2025. The search results provide information and discussions about Plug Power's performance and news within this exact timeframe, including stock movements and analyst sentiments for late 2025. This indicates that there is indeed information available for the specified (future) period, possibly in the form of forward-looking statements, analyses, and reported events that occurred within this hypothetical future. I should now synthesize the key points from these search results to explain the stock movement. Based on the search results, Plug Power's stock has shown "remarkable momentum" with a "236.33% price return over the past six months" according to InvestingPro data as of November 13, 2025. Another source indicates a "77.1% surge in six months" as of December 15, 2025. This contradicts the user's premise of a 40.1% movement, suggesting the actual movement was significantly higher according to the provided sources. I will focus on the reasons for the positive momentum and significant price returns observed in the provided search results. Here are the key points for the stock movement:

1. Plug Power's improved financial outlook and strategic focus (Project Quantum Leap) aimed at achieving gross margin neutrality by the end of 2025. Plug Power emphasized a sharpened strategy, known as Project Quantum Leap, to concentrate on high-value markets (electrolyzers, material handling, and hydrogen fuel), streamline operations, and align resources for sustainable growth. The company stated its cost-cutting program was positively impacting its finances, with a goal of gross margin neutrality by the fourth quarter of 2025. This strategic shift and focus on profitability likely contributed to investor optimism.

2. Strong performance and growth in the electrolyzer business. Plug Power experienced impressive demand for its electrolyzer product line, with revenues surging approximately 12.9% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025. The company shipped over 185 MW of GenEco electrolyzers in 2025, representing approximately 203% year-over-year growth compared to 2024, with its electrolyzers operating on every continent except Antarctica. This expansion and strong demand for its electrolyzers, particularly for green hydrogen production, was a significant driver.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
PLUG Return973%-17%-56%-64%-53%6%-28%
Peers Return87%11%-5%3%30%61%324%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
PLUG Win Rate83%42%33%33%33%58% 
Peers Win Rate68%50%45%50%53%65% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
PLUG Max Drawdown-13%-41%-59%-72%-64%-67% 
Peers Max Drawdown-46%-13%-28%-19%-18%-23% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: CMI, LIN, APD, BE, GTLS. See PLUG Returns vs. Peers.
[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 12/19/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventPLUGS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-95.3%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven2039.8%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-51.7%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven107.2%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven99 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-67.9%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven211.9%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven328 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-84.8%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven556.2%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven4,145 days1,480 days

Compare to VICR, POWL, AZZ, ENR, AIGO


In The Past

Plug Power's stock fell -95.3% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/26/2021. A -95.3% loss requires a 2039.8% gain to breakeven.

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Asset Allocation

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About Plug Power (PLUG)

Better Bets than Plug Power (PLUG)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to PLUG. 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
18.0%18.0%-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
3.7%3.7%-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
6.8%6.8%0.0%
ENR_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025ENREnergizerDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
10.3%10.3%-5.3%
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
2.6%2.6%-1.2%
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
18.0%18.0%-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
3.7%3.7%-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
6.8%6.8%0.0%
ENR_11212025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11212025ENREnergizerDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
10.3%10.3%-5.3%
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
2.6%2.6%-1.2%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Plug Power

Peers to compare with:

Financials

PLUGCMILINAPDBEGTLSMedian
NamePlug Pow.Cummins Linde Air Prod.Bloom En.Chart In. 
Mkt Price2.20506.72421.43239.9688.82205.91222.94
Mkt Cap2.569.9198.453.420.99.337.2
Rev LTM67633,58133,24512,0371,8194,2918,164
Op Inc LTM-9423,7548,9362,889906881,788
FCF LTM-6752,2785,069-3,766135398266
FCF 3Y Avg-1,2661,5945,107-2,779-273185-44
CFO LTM-5183,5099,9123,2571804851,871
CFO 3Y Avg-8432,7869,2773,370-2033021,544

Growth & Margins

PLUGCMILINAPDBEGTLSMedian
NamePlug Pow.Cummins Linde Air Prod.Bloom En.Chart In. 
Rev Chg LTM2.5%-1.8%1.3%-0.5%44.5%5.5%1.9%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg5.0%9.4%0.6%-1.8%21.8%43.7%7.2%
Rev Chg Q1.9%-1.6%2.8%-0.6%57.1%3.6%2.3%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM0.5%-0.4%0.7%-0.2%11.6%0.9%0.6%
Op Mgn LTM-139.3%11.2%26.9%24.0%4.9%16.0%13.6%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-134.0%10.4%24.8%23.4%-6.3%13.9%12.2%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-4.6%0.0%0.3%-0.3%0.5%-0.2%-0.1%
CFO/Rev LTM-76.7%10.4%29.8%27.1%9.9%11.3%10.9%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-111.9%8.3%28.1%27.5%-15.9%7.5%7.9%
FCF/Rev LTM-99.8%6.8%15.2%-31.3%7.4%9.3%7.1%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-167.6%4.8%15.4%-22.9%-20.8%4.1%-8.3%

Valuation

PLUGCMILINAPDBEGTLSMedian
NamePlug Pow.Cummins Linde Air Prod.Bloom En.Chart In. 
Mkt Cap2.569.9198.453.420.99.337.2
P/S3.82.16.04.411.52.24.1
P/EBIT-1.216.821.3-235.7267.722.619.0
P/E-1.226.229.6-135.51,366.6138.827.9
P/CFO-4.919.920.016.4115.919.119.5
Total Yield-83.2%5.3%4.8%2.2%0.1%0.7%1.5%
Dividend Yield0.0%1.5%1.4%3.0%0.0%0.0%0.7%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-44.2%3.8%2.4%-4.4%-11.8%2.6%-1.0%
D/E0.40.10.10.30.10.40.2
Net D/E0.30.10.10.30.00.40.2

Returns

PLUGCMILINAPDBEGTLSMedian
NamePlug Pow.Cummins Linde Air Prod.Bloom En.Chart In. 
1M Rtn16.4%8.9%3.5%-4.4%-4.9%1.2%2.4%
3M Rtn0.9%20.1%-11.7%-16.8%4.6%3.2%2.1%
6M Rtn98.2%62.8%-6.9%-10.1%308.4%44.4%53.6%
12M Rtn-14.1%47.1%0.7%-16.6%268.2%11.4%6.0%
3Y Rtn-83.2%124.7%33.4%-17.7%333.7%79.4%56.4%
1M Excs Rtn12.9%4.2%-0.5%-8.1%-21.4%-1.9%-1.2%
3M Excs Rtn-19.1%17.7%-13.6%-18.1%0.9%1.0%-6.4%
6M Excs Rtn88.4%48.3%-21.1%-24.4%280.3%29.6%38.9%
12M Excs Rtn-23.5%30.1%-13.7%-32.2%245.6%-8.2%-10.9%
3Y Excs Rtn-156.6%54.0%-42.9%-91.5%210.8%1.5%-20.7%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Sales of cryogenic equipment and liquefiers232888  
Sales of hydrogen infrastructure184142135-4319
Sales of fuel cell systems181208225-55131
Sales of electolyzers8328174 
Fuel delivered to customers and related equipment665747-1629
Power Purchase Agreements6447352726
Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure393527-1025
Sales of engineered equipment32938  
Other113100
Total891701502-93230


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11282025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity336,107,447
Short Interest: % Change Since 1115202510.2%
Average Daily Volume111,588,828
Days-to-Cover Short Interest3.01
Basic Shares Quantity1,158,516,229
Short % of Basic Shares29.0%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/10/2025-1.2%-18.6%-7.8%
8/11/2025-2.5%5.1%-8.9%
5/12/2025-10.2%-12.7%52.7%
3/3/20258.0%14.0%-12.7%
11/12/2024-4.0%0.0%25.6%
8/8/20240.0%-2.9%-22.6%
3/1/202410.2%10.5%-2.5%
11/9/2023-40.5%-29.5%-31.0%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive91312
# Negative141011
Median Positive10.2%10.5%17.5%
Median Negative-4.8%-13.2%-13.2%
Max Positive17.6%24.3%61.6%
Max Negative-40.5%-29.5%-31.0%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251110202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025811202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025512202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024303202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241112202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024808202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024509202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023229202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231109202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023809202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023509202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022301202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221108202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022809202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022509202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021301202210-K 12/31/2021