Yahoo Finance Plug Power (PLUG) Q4 Loss Wider than Expected, Ups '18 View
Plug Power Inc. PLUG reported a loss of 9 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2017, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 7 cents by 28.6%.
Reported loss was also wider than the loss of 8 cents incurred in the year-ago quarter.
On a GAAP basis, the company reported a loss of 9 cents per share narrower than a loss of 11 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The difference between operating and GAAP loss in the fourth quarter was due to the impact of warrant related charges.
Plug Power, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Plug Power, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Plug Power, Inc. Quote
Total Revenues
Plug Power’s quarterly revenues of $32 million lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $35 million by 8.6%. Total revenues were lower than the year-ago figure of $33 million by 3%.
Highlights of the Release
Plug Power deployed 1400 GenDrive units and three GenKey sites in the fourth quarter of 2017. The company completed nearly $125 million in new bookings in the quarter, bringing the 2017 total bookings to $285 million.
Total operating expense in the quarter under review was $17.06 million compared with $14.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to 40.5% increase in the research & development expense.
Financial Update
As of Dec 31, Plug Power’s cash and cash equivalents were $24.8 million compared with $46 million in the period ended Dec 31, 2016.
Long-term debt was $13.4 million at the end of 2017, compared with $20.8 million at 2016-end.
Net cash used in operating activities in the 2017 was $60.2 million compared with $29.6 million in corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Guidance
The company provided sales guidance for first-quarter 2018 of $22 to $24 million which will represent growth of 45-60% over the prior year. Further, the company estimate sales in 2018 in the range of $155-$180 million which will represent growth of 16-34%.
Zacks Rank
Plug Power currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Peer Performance
Regal Beloit Corporation RBC reported adjusted earnings of $1.14 per share for fourth-quarter 2017 in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. In past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has moved up by 3.5% to $5.58.
Rexnord Corporation RXN reported earnings of 37 cents per share for fourth-quarter 2017, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents by 37%. In past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has moved up by 0.8% to $1.34.
Capstone Turbine Corporation CPST reported a loss of 1 cent per share for fourth-quarter 2017, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimated loss of 6 cents by 83.3%. In past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has moved up by 8.3% to negative 22 cents per share.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Capstone Turbine Corporation (CPST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Plug Power, Inc. (PLUG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Rexnord Corporation (RXN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Regal Beloit Corporation (RBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
