Close menu




October 31st, 2023 | 07:10 CET

Nel ASA, First Hydrogen, Plug Power - Huge potential at reduced levels

  • Hydrogen
  • greenhydrogen
  • renewableenergies
  • fuelcell
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Shareholders of hydrogen companies have been suffering from a runaway correction for about two years. After the price explosions at the beginning of the decade, many companies have come back down to earth. There is no question that hydrogen is elementary to achieving climate neutrality. Nevertheless, many companies are still ambitiously valued despite the share price losses. For selected stocks, there is now an opportunity for long-term multiplication at the current price levels.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Stefan Feulner
ISIN: NEL ASA NK-_20 | NO0010081235 , First Hydrogen Corp. | CA32057N1042 , PLUG POWER INC. DL-_01 | US72919P2020

Table of contents:


    First Hydrogen - Staying on the path to success

    One of these promising candidates with multiplication potential is Vancouver and London-based First Hydrogen. The Company, which currently has a market capitalization of CAD 76.68 million, has a vision to cover the entire value chain in the hydrogen sector. In addition to the goal of becoming the leading designer and manufacturer of zero-emission, long-range hydrogen-powered vehicles in the UK, EU and North America, First Hydrogen developed a prototype for a customized refueling system with its German partner, FEV Consulting GmbH. It also plans to launch green hydrogen production and distribution in Europe, in addition to the UK and North America, to provide a 360-degree offering to its customers with the "Hydrogen-as-a-Service" model.

    The development of light commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells is currently the most advanced. Here, Rivus and SSE, two of sixteen major fleet operators who applied as part of the British "Aggregated Hydrogen Freight Consortium" AHFC, have already been able to test the vehicles under real road conditions in a program lasting around 4 weeks. The results were excellent and even exceeded their own forecasts. For example, test drives by energy infrastructure company SSE achieved the best mark of 630 km range on a single refuel in real-world operation. By comparison, comparable light 3.5t commercial vehicles with electric drives manage just 240 km. In addition, potential customers noted increased driving comfort and, due to the efficient drive technology, the ability to transport large payloads without the range being affected by poor weather conditions.

    For general corporate purposes, First Hydrogen recently closed a non-brokered private placement of debenture units at a price of CAD 1,000 per unit for gross proceeds of up to CAD 2.9 million. The Canadian company's shares have been only partially immune to the general market correction in recent weeks, losing around half of their value since mid-July. In terms of growth opportunities, the Company is more than interesting at the current level of CAD 1.54.

    Nel ASA - Still highly valued

    In contrast to First Hydrogen, the results of Norwegian hydrogen specialist Nel ASA were disappointing and do not yet justify the market capitalization of EUR 831 million.

    Sales in the third quarter rose by 121% to EUR 34.3 million, but this figure was below analysts' forecasts, who were expecting revenues of EUR 35.58 million. In terms of operating income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, the Norwegians were above consensus estimates, with a minus of EUR 9.21 million, while forecasting a minus of EUR 11.75 million for EBITDA. In the same quarter last year, this figure stood at a loss of EUR 18.09 million. The increase, according to the Company, was due to picking up revenues from large electrolyser contracts and improved cost control at Nel Fueling. The net loss totaled EUR 19.10 million.

    A sharp decline of 55% to EUR 29.75 million from Q3 2022 was published by Nel ASA in order intake. A total of EUR 241.23 million in orders are on the books at the end of the quarter. Following this, Nel ASA CEO Håkon Volldal commented, "For the first time, we have exceeded NOK 1 billion in YTD revenues, and there is still one quarter to go. At the same time, margins are improving as the Company scales production and becomes leaner."

    Nel ASA shares then continued their sell-off, marking a new yearly low at USD 0.59. The chart picture continues to be considerably battered.

    Plug Power - It is getting exciting again

    It will be interesting on November 9, 2023, when the fuel cell pioneer Plug Power presents its figures for the third quarter. In mid-October, the go-getting CEO Andy Marsh issued a profit warning for the full year at the Plug Symposium 2023. As is so often the case with the Company, which has been operating at a loss for 26 years, you cannot find this information anywhere.

    So, the US company expects revenues of USD 1.2 billion for the current fiscal year 2023. Originally, the range was between USD 1.2 billion and USD 1.4 billion. The estimates for further into the future have been maintained. Sales are expected to increase fivefold to USD 6 billion by 2027, with around USD 20 billion expected on the books at the beginning of the new decade.

    A look at the share chart shows that the statements of the Plug management are no longer believed without reservation. A new low for the year was marked at USD 5.87. The loss since the beginning of the year amounts to almost exactly 50%. It is worth noting that investors have lost nearly 99% of their investment since Plug Power's IPO in November 1999.


    The hydrogen sector continues to be in correction. However, companies like First Hydrogen offer significant potential at reduced levels. In contrast, Nel ASA disappointed with its numbers. Plug Power has further downside potential by reaching a new low for the year.


    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

    Stefan Feulner

    The native Franconian has more than 20 years of stock exchange experience and a broadly diversified network.
    He is passionate about analyzing a wide variety of business models and investigating new trends.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on October 22nd, 2025 | 07:30 CEST

    SHARE PRICE EXPLOSION for commodity gems!? Nordex, Aurubis, Salzgitter, and Power Metallic Mines!

    • Mining
    • Lithium
    • Copper
    • Commodities
    • Steel
    • Wind
    • renewableenergies

    Shares in the commodities and precious metals sector have been unstoppable in recent weeks. Power Metallic Mines could soon become an explosive latecomer to the rally. There are good reasons for this, as the CEO recently made clear. At Aurubis, the rally appears to be over for now. Analysts are skeptical, and the major shareholder is cashing in his shares - albeit in an unusual way. So should you sell now, too? The past few months have been unusually positive for Nordex. There is currently no sign of a slump in the wind business. What are analysts saying after the latest order intake?

    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 21st, 2025 | 07:35 CEST

    Gold USD 4,300 and Silver USD 53 – Buying frenzy at Silver North, First Majestic, Nel ASA, and JinkoSolar

    • Mining
    • Silver
    • Gold
    • renewableenergies
    • Solar
    • Energy

    Silver has been shorted by many investment banks for several years because sufficient supply was available from Mexico and other producing countries. The tide has turned. Over the past 12 months, the precious metal has caught up with its big brother gold, gaining 54%. There are several reasons for the scarcity-driven rally: there are only around 250 active silver mines worldwide, compared to around 1,400 gold mines. In addition, silver has massively expanded its importance as an industrial metal: it is indispensable in high-tech, e-mobility, defense, and medical technology. As a result, less and less physical silver is available to investors, while inventories on the futures markets continue to decline. Now is the time to take a position in silver. Alongside industry giants such as First Majestic, Silver North is among the most promising beneficiaries of the new silver boom.

    Read