Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU) & FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ:FCEL) Head to Head Contrast

FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ:FCEL) and Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU) are both energy companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares FuelCell Energy and Central Puerto”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
FuelCell Energy	$169.70 million	6.67	-$187.90 million	($6.91)	-3.09
Central Puerto	$782.60 million	2.66	$277.08 million	$2.08	6.60

Central Puerto has higher revenue and earnings than FuelCell Energy. FuelCell Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Central Puerto, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares FuelCell Energy and Central Puerto’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
FuelCell Energy	-107.51%	-17.76%	-12.54%
Central Puerto	37.86%	15.69%	10.94%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

42.8% of FuelCell Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 3.0% of Central Puerto shares are held by institutional investors. 5.5% of FuelCell Energy shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Central Puerto shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for FuelCell Energy and Central Puerto, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
FuelCell Energy	2	7	0	0	1.78
Central Puerto	0	1	1	0	2.50

FuelCell Energy currently has a consensus target price of $8.24, indicating a potential downside of 61.42%. Central Puerto has a consensus target price of $17.50, indicating a potential upside of 27.47%. Given Central Puerto’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Central Puerto is more favorable than FuelCell Energy.

Risk & Volatility

FuelCell Energy has a beta of 2.22, suggesting that its stock price is 122% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Central Puerto has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Central Puerto beats FuelCell Energy on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells stationary fuel cell and electrolysis platforms that decarbonize power and produce hydrogen. The company provides various configurations and applications of its platform, including on-site power, utility grid support, and microgrid, as well as distributed hydrogen; solid oxide-based electrolysis; solutions for long duration hydrogen-based energy storage and electrolysis technology; and carbon capture, separation, and utilization systems. It also offers technology to produce electricity, heat, hydrogen, and water. In addition, the company provides turn-key solutions, including development, engineering, procurement, construction, interconnection, and operation services. It serves various markets, including utilities and independent power producers, industrial and process applications, education and health care, data centers and communication, wastewater treatment, government, commercial and hospitality, microgrids, manufacturing, industrial hydrogen, port, oil and gas, wind and solar projects, food and beverage, hydrogen for mobility and material handling, and hydrogen fuel for heat, as well as engineering, procurement, and construction firms. The company primarily operates in the United States, South Korea, and Europe. FuelCell Energy, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut.

About Central Puerto

Central Puerto S.A. engages in the electric power generation in Argentina. It operates through three segments: Electric Power Generation from Conventional Sources, Electric Power Generation from Renewable Sources, and Natural Gas Transport and Distribution. The company generates energy through thermal, hydroelectric, and wind farms. It also engages in the natural gas transport and distribution business. Central Puerto S.A. was founded in 1898 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.