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Aqua Metals (AQMS)
NASDAQ:AQMS

Aqua Metals (AQMS) AI Stock Analysis

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AQMS

Aqua Metals

(NASDAQ:AQMS)

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Neutral 47 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:47Neutral
Price Target:
$4.50
▼(-5.66% Downside)
The score is held down primarily by weak financial performance (zero revenue, persistent losses, and ongoing cash burn) and bearish technicals (below key moving averages with negative MACD). These are partially offset by a more positive earnings call pointing to improved cost/loss trends, technology progress, and added funding runway.
Positive Factors
Technological Advancements
The successful operation of the pilot plant demonstrates Aqua Metals' capability to innovate and produce high-purity lithium carbonate, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable metal recycling.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships with key industry players like 6K Energy enhance Aqua Metals' market reach and support its closed-loop recycling initiatives, strengthening its competitive position in the battery materials supply chain.
Board Strengthening
The addition of experienced board members is expected to bolster strategic decision-making, aiding in growth and commercialization efforts, and enhancing the company's industry influence.
Negative Factors
Revenue Growth Challenges
Persistent negative revenue growth indicates ongoing struggles in monetizing AquaRefining technology, impacting the company's ability to achieve financial stability and long-term profitability.
Operational Losses
Continued operational losses highlight inefficiencies and financial strain, which could hinder the company's ability to invest in growth initiatives and maintain competitive positioning.
Leadership Changes
The resignation of the CFO may lead to transitional challenges and uncertainty in financial management, potentially impacting strategic execution and investor confidence.

Aqua Metals (AQMS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Aqua Metals Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAqua Metals, Inc. engages in the recycling of lead primarily in the United States. It produces and sells hard lead, lead compounds, and plastics. Aqua Metals, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.
How the Company Makes MoneyAqua Metals generates revenue primarily through the licensing and deployment of its AquaRefining™ technology, which is used by recycling facilities to process lead and other metals in a more sustainable manner. The company earns money by selling equipment and licensing its technology to third-party recyclers, who pay fees based on the amount of material processed using AquaRefining. Additionally, Aqua Metals may generate revenue from partnerships and joint ventures aimed at expanding its technology's reach and application. The company's focus on innovation and sustainability positions it to benefit from increasing regulatory and market demand for greener recycling solutions.

Aqua Metals Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 12, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong financial management, successful funding, and technological advancements. The company is poised for future growth with strategic partnerships and compliance achievements. However, it continues to operate at a loss and delays in commercial facility decisions persist.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful Funding Efforts
Aqua Metals strengthened its balance sheet with $17.1 million in new funding, providing multiple quarters of strategic runway and flexibility.
Technology Advancements
Aqua Metals successfully processed one metric ton of lithium iron phosphate cathode scrap at pilot scale, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, a first in the industry.
Strategic Partnerships
The company expanded its commercial pathways with MOUs with Moby Robotics and Impossible Metals, and an LOI with Westwind Elements for potential delivery of recycled nickel carbonate.
Improved Financial Performance
Year-to-date net loss improved to $12.3 million from $19.2 million in the previous year, a reduction of more than one-third.
Nasdaq Compliance
Aqua Metals regained compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, strengthening its market position.
Negative Updates
Operating Costs and Loss
Despite improvements, the company reported a net loss of $2.8 million for the quarter, although this was an improvement from the previous year.
Delayed Commercial Facility Decision
The decision on the first commercial-scale facility site remains pending, with details expected later.
Company Guidance
During the Aqua Metals Q3 2025 conference call, the company provided several key metrics and guidance updates. Aqua Metals raised $17.1 million in new funding, enhancing their financial runway for multiple quarters. Their balance sheet strengthened with $2.9 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q3, up from $1.9 million in Q2. The company processed one metric ton of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode scrap, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. Operating costs were reduced to $2.7 million from $3 million in the prior year, while the net loss improved to $2.8 million compared to $4.7 million in Q3 2024. The company's disciplined financial strategy has led to a reduction in year-to-date net loss to $12.3 million, down from $19.2 million the previous year. Aqua Metals is strategically positioning itself for growth in the battery recycling industry, focusing on securing feedstock and developing partnerships, with an expected modest increase in cash use as they ramp up R&D and site readiness efforts.

Aqua Metals Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Aqua Metals is facing significant financial challenges with negative revenue growth and operational losses. The balance sheet shows reasonable leverage, but profitability metrics are poor. Cash flow issues are evident, with negative free cash flow and operational difficulties impacting liquidity.
Income Statement
Aqua Metals has been struggling with negative revenue growth, with consistent losses over the years. The company has not generated substantial revenue recently, and both EBIT and EBITDA margins are deeply negative, indicating significant operational challenges and inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is relatively low, indicating manageable levels of debt compared to equity. However, the negative net income results in a poor return on equity, reflecting inefficiencies in generating profit from shareholders' investments. The equity ratio is moderate, suggesting a balanced capital structure.
Cash Flow
Free cash flow has been substantially negative, and operating cash flow to net income ratio indicates operational difficulties. While investing cash flow shows efforts towards investment, the negative free cash flow to net income ratio highlights challenges in converting earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue0.000.0025.00K4.00K173.00K108.00K
Gross Profit-3.09M-7.21M-6.26M-3.96M-6.84M-5.37M
EBITDA-20.45M-22.70M-22.05M-14.24M-16.85M-21.68M
Net Income-25.65M-24.55M-23.94M-15.43M-18.19M-25.76M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets10.50M26.36M33.60M33.50M33.27M35.14M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.59M4.08M16.52M7.08M8.14M6.53M
Total Debt520.00K4.27M3.23M6.48M718.00K1.19M
Total Liabilities3.98M10.12M7.54M12.59M5.74M4.00M
Stockholders Equity6.52M16.24M26.06M20.92M27.53M31.14M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-11.03M-25.79M-13.08M-14.92M-9.96M-14.40M
Operating Cash Flow-9.64M-13.63M-3.19M-10.15M-7.62M-11.03M
Investing Cash Flow4.40M-11.64M-9.81M-3.42M-2.23M6.63M
Financing Cash Flow5.88M12.82M22.45M12.51M11.45M3.35M

Aqua Metals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price4.77
Price Trends
50DMA
6.63
Negative
100DMA
6.58
Negative
200DMA
8.00
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.44
Negative
RSI
44.28
Neutral
STOCH
76.53
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AQMS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4.77 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 5.64, below the 50-day MA of 6.63, and below the 200-day MA of 8.00, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.44 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 44.28 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.53 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for AQMS.

Aqua Metals Risk Analysis

Aqua Metals disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Aqua Metals reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Aqua Metals Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$260.73M-21.47-23.26%-9.64%40.01%
51
Neutral
$40.91M-1.76-44.35%-9.25%-189.37%
47
Neutral
$16.32M-0.06-187.08%-106.93%
47
Neutral
$10.43M57.270.47%-4.84%-81.73%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AQMS
Aqua Metals
5.48
-15.33
-73.68%
AWX
Avalon Holdings
2.64
-1.07
-28.84%
PESI
Perma-Fix
14.08
3.41
31.96%
QRHC
Quest Resource
1.96
-3.82
-66.09%
GWAV
Greenwave Technology Solutions
5.09
-36.41
-87.74%

Aqua Metals Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Aqua Metals Files New Registration for Stock Sales
Neutral
Dec 2, 2025

On August 30, 2024, Aqua Metals entered into an ATM Sales Agreement with The Benchmark Company, allowing the sale of its common stock through the agent. Following the expiration of a prior registration statement in October 2025, Aqua Metals filed a new registration statement in October 2025, which became effective in November 2025, to continue stock sales under the agreement. This move is part of Aqua Metals’ ongoing efforts to maintain financial flexibility and support its operational goals.

The most recent analyst rating on (AQMS) stock is a Buy with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Aqua Metals stock, see the AQMS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Aqua Metals Secures $13 Million in New Funding
Positive
Oct 16, 2025

On October 15, 2025, Aqua Metals entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor to raise approximately $13 million through a registered direct offering and a concurrent private placement. The company plans to use the net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which is expected to enhance its strategic growth and commercialization efforts. The offering is anticipated to close on October 16, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (AQMS) stock is a Buy with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Aqua Metals stock, see the AQMS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 30, 2025