Plug Power sinks after revenue miss and near $1 billion impairment charge
Plug Power shares are plunging nearly 9% after reporting lower-than-expected fourth-quarter revenues and taking a massive impairment charge totaling nearly $1 billion.
Management’s write-down of the value of its asset was tied to:
Failure to meet sales or margin projections;
Decreased future cash flows following the liquidation of a joint venture with Renault in Europe; and
Pausing the development of hydrogen production plants because of softening global demand.
The green hydrogen company that you might associate with helping to cut emissions is focusing more squarely on cuts of a different nature. Management announced “Project Quantum Leap” to cut annual expenses by about $150 million to $200 million, which will include making job cuts, curbing capex, and reducing inventory levels.
During a recent interview with Sherwood News, CEO Andy Marsh said he wanted to achieve a positive gross margin in 2025 and positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization in 2026. Those goals look a long way off.