Close menu




December 14th, 2022 | 11:58 CET

Hydrogen: Where things get tight, where opportunities lurk - NEL, First Hydrogen, Amazon

  • Hydrogen
  • Investments
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Hydrogen is picking up speed! In northern Germany, the first hydrogen trains recently went into regular service. At the same time, decision-makers from Spain, France and Portugal are working with the EU on a hydrogen pipeline from Barcelona to Marseille. From 2030, green hydrogen should also flow indirectly through this pipeline to Germany. We present companies that could benefit and are already setting the course for tomorrow.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: NEL ASA NK-_20 | NO0010081235 , First Hydrogen Corp. | CA32057N1042 , AMAZON.COM INC. DL-_01 | US0231351067

Table of contents:


    NEL: The competition is growing

    The Norwegian company NEL is one of the pioneers in hydrogen production, storage and transport. Over the past few years, the Company has increased its sales and landed increasingly important contracts. This also gives hope to the entire industry. But the growing popularity of hydrogen is also attracting competition: Many industrial companies now have their own hydrogen business. Companies like NEL are thus losing a unique selling point.

    It is, therefore, no wonder that NEL's share price is weakening more and more despite the operational progress. The Company is losing ground in the race for market share, and the chart has been showing a downward trend for months. The next relative low could take the value below the EUR 1 mark again. It appears that NEL's glory days are over.

    First Hydrogen: Hydrogen stock with perspective

    While NEL gradually loses in valuation, First Hydrogen is heading upwards. Why? The Company is focused on getting light commercial vehicles on the road with hydrogen. In order to do this, First Hydrogen relies on established bodies and the latest hydrogen technology. In the UK, potential customers have the opportunity to test First Hydrogen prototypes. At the end of November, it was also announced that the Company had selected the city of Shawinigan in the Canadian province of Quebec to become a production site for North America. "The encouragement from customers and the strong support from politicians in Quebec and Canada have convinced us that now is the time to move forward with this first project. Engineering studies are scheduled to begin in early 2023. Our announcement today coincides with the unveiling of our next-generation hydrogen fuel cell powered light commercial vehicle in the coming weeks," First Hydrogen Chairman and CEO Balraj Mann told Canadian website The Market Herald.

    After climbing to around EUR 4.50 in late summer, the stock is currently hovering around EUR 3. As recently as the turn of the year, the stock was trading at EUR 1. Investors in First Hydrogen are betting on the Company's prospects. Light commercial vehicles, in particular, lend themselves to being converted to hydrogen. Fleets of logistics service providers are also regularly renewed, so a large market is waiting here. Since lower CO2 emissions are hard cash for companies, innovative solutions, such as those from First Hydrogen, are coming into focus.

    Amazon: More global corporation remains interesting

    Retail giant Amazon has long been convinced of hydrogen. Last summer, the Company signed a contract with Plug Power to supply hydrogen and, at the same time, took a stake in the hydrogen innovation leader. For Amazon, entering the hydrogen business makes sense: Huge logistics centers offer space for PV systems, and the Amazon fleet would become CO2-neutral with hydrogen drives. Last week during the 5th International Investment Forum (IIF), First Hydrogen confirmed that it was in talks with big names in the industry - but was unable to provide more detailed insights. Whether such an acquisition would be worthwhile for Amazon or whether the retail giant, which is also a tech company, would set up a hydrogen vehicle business itself is uncertain.


    Amazon shareholders are likely to benefit only marginally from a possible hydrogen division anyway - Amazon's core business is too big. Although the stock has suffered significant losses for the past year, the value can already be attractive again for long-term investors - Amazon is, and remains, a global corporation that will still have a solid business in decades. First Hydrogen also has the potential to rise. The Company is gradually ramping up its hydrogen vehicle business and making steady progress. While there are risks associated with such growth stories, investors looking to seize opportunities should keep First Hydrogen's stock on their radar. On the other hand, the situation with NEL is more complex: Despite operational progress, the share price is weakening. It may be better for investors to keep their distance here.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

    For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.

    The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Nico Popp

    At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on October 23rd, 2025 | 07:35 CEST

    1,000% with Bloom Energy - Now Ballard Power or Pure Hydrogen? Or maybe Plug Power after all?

    • Hydrogen
    • Fuelcells
    • renewableenergies
    • cleantech
    • greenhydrogen

    Bloom Energy is currently the star among fuel cell and hydrogen stocks. Shareholders have seen gains of over 1,000% within a year, driven by the surging energy demand from AI data centers in the US. Investors increasingly view hydrogen as one of the key beneficiaries of this trend. This is another reason – along with a short squeeze – for the price explosion of almost 500% at Plug Power. However, both companies are now very highly valued. Who could be next to be caught up in the energy hype? One candidate is Pure Hydrogen. The Company has already enjoyed success in the US with its solutions for commercial vehicles - so why not with generators for data centers as well? And what is pioneer Ballard Power doing? Its stock has tripled in just a few months. Could there be more upside ahead?

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on October 22nd, 2025 | 07:15 CEST

    HYDROGEN IS ALIVE! Bloom Energy, thyssenkrupp nucera, and dynaCERT! 1,000% not enough?

    • Hydrogen
    • greenhydrogen
    • cleantech
    • renewableenergies

    Plug Power has gained nearly 500% since May, proving that hydrogen is very much alive. The applications may be different from what was expected in the hype a few years ago - more specific and niche-focused. Investors are speculating that hydrogen will benefit from the energy boom driven by artificial intelligence. The same applies to Bloom Energy, whose stock has exploded by 1,000% over the past year. dynaCERT is active in an exciting niche, offering conversion kits for diesel engines ranging from trucks to container ships. Initial sales successes give hope for more. Will emission certificates follow? And what is Germany's hydrogen hope, thyssenkrupp nucera, doing? It remains in the shadow of TKMS. Still, one analyst sees upside potential of around 50%.

    Read

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on October 17th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST

    E-mobility and hydrogen take off – BYD, Nio, Graphano Energy, and Plug Power in focus!

    • Mining
    • graphite
    • Electromobility
    • Hydrogen
    • Fuelcells
    • renewableenergies

    The German government is resolutely driving forward the transition to e-mobility by 2035 - a clear signal at a time when climate targets and energy dependence are the subject of intense debate. The market for electric vehicles is benefiting from innovations in battery technologies and a growing charging infrastructure. Advances in solid-state batteries, silicon anodes, and new cathode materials are significantly increasing range, performance, and safety. Faster charging times and longer service life are making the switch increasingly attractive for consumers. At the same time, recycling processes and the circular economy are gaining in importance to conserve resources and promote sustainability. With government support and growing competition, enormous opportunities are emerging for manufacturers and investors. But while electromobility is booming, hydrogen is also increasingly becoming the focus of the energy transition as a complementary technology. Investors are free to decide where to invest for the best returns.

    Read