Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) versus Enersys (NYSE:ENS) Head to Head Analysis

Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) and Enersys (NYSE:ENS) are both mid-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership and risk.

Risk & Volatility

Plug Power has a beta of 2.13, meaning that its stock price is 113% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Enersys has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

43.5% of Plug Power shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.9% of Enersys shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Plug Power shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Enersys shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Plug Power and Enersys”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Plug Power	$709.92 million	2.85	-$1.63 billion	($1.26)	-1.15
Enersys	$3.79 billion	1.40	$293.56 million	$9.34	15.74

Enersys has higher revenue and earnings than Plug Power. Plug Power is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Enersys, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Plug Power and Enersys, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Plug Power	3	7	5	1	2.25
Enersys	0	1	5	0	2.83

Plug Power currently has a consensus target price of $3.40, indicating a potential upside of 134.80%. Enersys has a consensus target price of $265.00, indicating a potential upside of 80.28%. Given Plug Power’s higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Plug Power is more favorable than Enersys.

Profitability

This table compares Plug Power and Enersys’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Plug Power	-220.59%	-56.01%	-21.09%
Enersys	9.29%	24.02%	11.42%

Summary

Enersys beats Plug Power on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Plug Power

Plug Power Inc. develops hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers GenDrive, a hydrogen-fueled proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system that provides power to material handling electric vehicles; GenSure, a stationary fuel cell solution that offers modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid-support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors; ProGen, a fuel cell stack and engine technology used in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems, and as engines in electric delivery vans; GenFuel, a liquid hydrogen fueling delivery, generation, storage, and dispensing system; GenCare, an ongoing Internet of Things-based maintenance and on-site service program for GenDrive fuel cell systems, GenSure fuel cell systems, GenFuel hydrogen storage and dispensing products, and ProGen fuel cell engines; and GenKey, an integrated turn-key solution for transitioning to fuel cell power. It also provides electrolyzers, a hydrogen generator for clean hydrogen production; liquefaction systems that provides liquid hydrogen to customers; cryogenic equipment for the distribution of liquified hydrogen, oxygen, argon, nitrogen and other cryogenic gases, including trailers and mobile storage equipment; and liquid hydrogen, an alternative fuel to fossil-based energy. The company sells its products through a direct product sales force, original equipment manufacturers, and dealer networks. Plug Power Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Latham, New York.

About Enersys

EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. The Motive Power segment provides power solutions for electric industrial forklifts used in manufacturing, warehousing, and other material handling applications, as well as automated guided vehicles, mining equipment, and diesel locomotive starting and other rail equipment. The Specialty offers batteries for starting, lighting, and ignition applications in automotive and over-the-road trucks; and energy solutions for satellites, spacecraft, commercial aircraft, military land vehicles, aircraft, submarines, ships, and other tactical vehicles, as well as medical devices and equipment. The New Venture segment provides energy storage and management systems for demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. The company also offers battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories, and outdoor cabinet enclosures, as well as related after-market and customer-support services for industrial batteries. It sells its products through a network of distributors, independent representatives, and internal sales forces. The company was formerly known as Yuasa, Inc. and changed its name to EnerSys in January 2001. EnerSys was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania.