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Ilika PLC (GB:IKA)
LSE:IKA

Ilika plc (IKA) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:IKA

Ilika plc

(LSE:IKA)

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Neutral 44 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:44Neutral
Price Target:
30.00p
▼(-20.00% Downside)
The score is held down primarily by weak financial performance (sharp revenue decline, ongoing losses, and negative operating/free cash flow) and a bearish-to-soft technical setup (below major moving averages with negative MACD). Valuation is limited by negative earnings. These are partially offset by earnings-call evidence of operational and early commercial progress (customer deliveries, purchase orders, and prototype milestones), though cash burn and long licensing timelines remain key risks.
Positive Factors
IP strength & licensing model
A broad patent portfolio and an asset-light licensing approach create durable competitive barriers and scalable revenue mix. Licensing, NRE and royalties can deliver high-margin, capital-efficient growth over time, reducing the need for heavy manufacturing capex and supporting long-term profitability.
Manufacturing scale-up demonstrable
Validated compatibility with gigafactory-standard equipment materially lowers deployment risk and supports faster commercial adoption. Demonstrated higher yields and improved cell metrics at scale increase the likelihood of repeatable, industrialized production—key for durable licensing and OEM partnerships.
Early commercial traction & customer pipeline
Customer deliveries, a first cathode purchase order and a pipeline of NDAs/Evaluation agreements signal real-world validation. Early commercial milestones reduce technology adoption risk and provide tangible pathways to recurring cathode sales and license conversions over the next few years.
Negative Factors
Severe revenue decline and unprofitable operations
A near-96% revenue drop and persistent negative margins indicate structural revenue and profitability challenges. Until recurring commercial revenues scale, losses will hinder reinvestment and strain returns, making sustained profitability contingent on successful conversion of pilots and licenses into volume sales.
Negative operating cash flow and depleted cash runway
Ongoing negative operating cash flow and a declining cash balance create financing risk if commercialization timelines slip. Even with FCF growth, the company remains cash‑hungry for prototype scale-up, increasing dependency on grants, tax credits or external capital to sustain R&D and commercialization efforts.
Lengthy, uncertain Goliath licensing timeline
A multi‑year (~30 month) licensing negotiation horizon delays meaningful royalties and licensing income. Extended deal cadence raises execution risk and prolongs the need for external funding, making near-term revenue visibility weak and dependent on protracted OEM qualification cycles.

Ilika plc (IKA) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Ilika plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionIlika plc engages in the design, development, and production of solid-state batteries under the Stereax name primarily in the United Kingdom, Asia, rest of Europe, and North America. It offers batteries for a range of applications in the industrial Internet of Things, medical, transportation, electric vehicles, and cordless consumer electronics/ smart cities. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Romsey, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyIlika generates revenue primarily through the sale of its solid-state battery technology and related products to various industries, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and renewable energy sectors. The company has established partnerships with key players in these industries, which not only help in product development but also provide a pathway for commercialization. Additionally, Ilika may earn revenue through licensing agreements, research and development contracts, and collaborations with other technology firms and academic institutions, further diversifying its income streams.

Ilika plc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 22, 2026
(Q2-2026)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jul 09, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed meaningful technical and commercial progress — qualified Stereax manufacturing at Cirtec, first customer deliveries and purchase orders, Goliath prototype shipments and successful scale-up work at UKBIC — providing clear signs of near-term commercialization momentum. Offsetting this are timing-driven financial headwinds: lower H1 turnover, a larger EBITDA loss driven by prototype costs, and a cash decline at the half-year (partially mitigated by subsequent R&D tax credit). Customer validation and large-scale licensing for Goliath remain in progress and may take extended time to convert to material licensing revenue. On balance the operational milestones and tangible early commercial signals outweigh the financial timing issues and uncertainties.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Commercial progress for Stereax with Cirtec partnership
Qualified manufacturing process at Cirtec Medical, commenced production for product testing, delivered M300 batteries to customers before year-end (including Lura Health), and received first purchase order for cathode/electrode deliveries — early indicator of commercial volume ramp.
Goliath prototyping and pilot-line scale-up
Validated 2 Ah prototypes earlier and shipped 10 Ah Goliath prototypes to customers; commissioned an automated pilot line capable of 10 Ah cells and initiated prototype deliveries to OEMs/Tier 1s for evaluation.
Demonstrated compatibility with gigafactory equipment (UKBIC)
Scale-up work at UKBIC showed higher manufacturing yield than pilot line, improved cell capacity and faster charging protocols; confirms process is deployable on standardized gigafactory equipment, reducing deployment risk.
Material modeled pack-level benefits
Independent modeling with Balance Batteries indicated potential battery pack cost reduction of GBP 2,500 (~USD 3,000), up to 20% weight saving, up to ~33% faster 10%-80% charge time (18 to 12 minutes), and associated range uplift for equivalent energy.
Diversified go-to-market model and IP strength
Asset-light licensing model with revenue streams from cathode deposition, NRE, profit-share/royalties and licensing fees; portfolio of 78 granted patents supports licensing strategy and commercialization.
Revenue and grant funding runway
Turnover of GBP 0.6m during the half driven by grant-funded activity and cathode deposit work; ongoing grant funding (including PRIMED) and an R&D tax credit received after H1 bolster cash runway and de-risk R&D spend.
Customer engagement and pipeline
27 NDAs/evaluation agreements in place across Goliath and Stereax, demonstrating broad interest from OEMs, Tier 1s and other sectors (automotive, defense, consumer electronics).
Negative Updates
Reduced reported turnover at H1
Turnover was GBP 0.6m, down year-on-year due to timing differences in grant funding recognition (prior year had finishing grants that boosted H1 revenue).
Widening EBITDA loss driven by prototype scale-up
EBITDA loss increased year-on-year at the half due to lower turnover timing and materially higher consumption of active materials while producing 10 Ah prototypes (5x energy vs 2 Ah), increasing prototype and R&D costs.
Cash position declined at half-year
Cash balance fell to GBP 6.9m at H1 (from GBP 10.1m at prior comparable point) — an approximate decrease of ~31.7% — though management notes subsequent R&D tax credit receipt that improves runway.
Commercial validation still pending for prototypes
10 Ah Goliath and Stereax deliveries are in customers' hands, but external feedback and long-term validation are still awaited; many customer test regimes are proprietary, limiting near-term visibility on performance and adoption.
Timing and cadence of Goliath licensing uncertain
Management expects licensing discussions to continue over an extended timeframe (potentially ~30 months) and does not guarantee definitive licensing in 2026, creating medium-term revenue timing uncertainty.
Market and technical risks remain
EV market headwinds (notably reduced U.S. incentives) create turbulence; competition from incumbents and other solid-state developers exists; some technical trade-offs (e.g., external pressure improves cycle life but increases engineering complexity) remain to be optimized.
Company Guidance
The management reiterated a clear commercial roadmap for 2026: Stereax is moving to commercialization with M300 cells (300 µAh) now in customers’ hands, cathode purchase orders starting (initial cathode-batch revenue described as “low tens of thousands” per delivery) and integration with Cirtec expected to drive NRE, profit‑share royalties and product royalties as volumes ramp; M1000 remains under evaluation. For Goliath, 2 Ah prototypes were validated in 2025 and automated pilot lines have produced 10 Ah prototypes (5× the energy of the 2 Ah), which were shipped late‑2025 for customer evaluation and have opened licensing discussions (management noted these talks could continue over the next ~30 months). Key commercial and technical metrics cited include a modeled battery‑pack cost saving of c. GBP 2,500 (~USD 3,000), up to 20% weight reduction, a 10–80% charge time reduction from ~18 to ~12 minutes (≈6 minutes saved), improved yields and higher capacity from UKBIC scale‑up work, 27 NDAs/evaluation agreements in place, a 78‑patent portfolio, H1 turnover of GBP 0.6m, H1 cash of GBP 6.9m (vs GBP 10.1m prior), and continued grant support (grants typically cover ~50% of project costs and R&D tax credits to follow) as the company targets early Stereax sales before the end of calendar 2026 and staged licensing/MVP milestones for Goliath.

Ilika plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials are weak: income statement shows a severe revenue decline (-95.77%) and negative profitability (gross, EBIT/EBITDA, and net margins). The balance sheet benefits from very low leverage (debt-to-equity 0.027) but negative ROE highlights poor shareholder returns. Cash flow remains pressured with negative operating and free cash flow, despite reported improvement in free cash flow growth.
Income Statement
20
Very Negative
Ilika plc has experienced significant revenue decline with a negative growth rate of -95.77% in the latest year. The company is facing severe profitability challenges, evidenced by negative gross profit, net profit, EBIT, and EBITDA margins. These metrics indicate substantial operational inefficiencies and a lack of profitability.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet shows a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.027, indicating minimal leverage, which is a positive aspect. However, the return on equity is negative, reflecting the company's inability to generate profits from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio is relatively stable, suggesting a moderate level of financial stability.
Cash Flow
30
Negative
Cash flow analysis reveals a negative operating cash flow and free cash flow, though there is a positive free cash flow growth rate of 27.83%. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating cash flow challenges. The free cash flow to net income ratio is above 1, suggesting some efficiency in converting net income to free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.30K73.50K20.10K33.85K30.88K230.45K
Gross Profit-2.40M-452.70K-1.06M-1.97M-1.49M-1.06M
EBITDA-6.78M-5.38M-4.00M-7.30M-6.81M-2.68M
Net Income-7.34M-5.90M-4.81M-7.30M-7.13M-3.53M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets19.34M19.45M22.83M26.91M33.93M16.53M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments6.92M7.98M11.95M15.87M23.45M9.82M
Total Debt562.20K470.70K625.30K618.48K847.60K827.72K
Total Liabilities1.64M2.27M2.47M2.14M2.50M2.34M
Stockholders Equity17.70M17.18M20.36M24.77M31.44M14.19M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-5.39M-6.28M-4.13M-7.45M-10.08M-4.95M
Operating Cash Flow-4.40M-4.18M-2.46M-6.05M-5.64M-2.13M
Investing Cash Flow2.07M2.47M-5.06M-1.40M-4.44M-2.83M
Financing Cash Flow3.41M1.93M-316.70K-75.78K23.71M-32.94K

Ilika plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price37.50
Price Trends
50DMA
38.77
Negative
100DMA
41.10
Negative
200DMA
39.80
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.75
Positive
RSI
28.46
Positive
STOCH
15.56
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:IKA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 37.5 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 35.86, below the 50-day MA of 38.77, and below the 200-day MA of 39.80, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.75 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 28.46 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 15.56 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:IKA.

Ilika plc Risk Analysis

Ilika plc disclosed 6 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Ilika plc 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

Ilika plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
£810.84M18.6215.54%1.11%8.20%25.85%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
58
Neutral
£347.34M-21.90-8.12%-18.43%24.86%
56
Neutral
£579.07M-16.30-23.26%12.58%12.39%
51
Neutral
£132.56M-5.11-86.37%732.03%12.60%
46
Neutral
£43.59M-4.66
44
Neutral
£56.06M-7.31-31.45%265.67%-16.50%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:IKA
Ilika plc
31.00
4.00
14.81%
GB:AFC
AFC Energy
11.70
2.86
32.35%
GB:CWR
Ceres Power Holdings
297.40
150.10
101.90%
GB:VLX
Volex plc
441.50
162.88
58.46%
GB:XPP
XP Power
1,240.00
46.00
3.85%
GB:GELN
Gelion PLC
19.00
5.50
40.74%

Ilika plc Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and FinancingProduct-Related Announcements
Ilika Hits Key Solid-State Battery Milestones as Commercial Rollout Gathers Pace
Neutral
Jan 22, 2026

Ilika reported half-year results showing it has met key technical and commercial milestones across both its Stereax and Goliath solid-state battery programmes, despite lower revenues and a widened EBITDA loss. The group completed process qualification and initiated production of Stereax batteries at Cirtec Medical’s US facility, began delivering M300 prototype samples and secured an initial revenue-generating purchase order for Stereax electrodes, while maintaining active engagement with 21 customers in medical and industrial applications. On the Goliath side, Ilika’s 2Ah prototypes were validated by a customer as being among the leading solid-state offerings, its new 1.5MWh pilot line was commissioned and the first 10Ah prototypes—promising substantial cost and weight savings per EV—were shipped for evaluation, expanding its evaluation pipeline to 27 automotive, appliance and defence customers. Financially, the company generated £0.6m in revenue, all from grant funding, posted an EBITDA loss of £3.2m and ended the period with £6.9m in cash after a £4.2m fundraising, while signalling that existing DRIVE35 grant funds will be fully deployed in early 2026 and that continuity of future grant support may be uneven, a factor investors will watch closely as Ilika pushes towards full commercialisation and gigafactory-scale adoption.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IKA) stock is a Hold with a £39.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ilika plc stock, see the GB:IKA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Ilika Enters Commercial Phase with First Stereax Electrode Order from Cirtec Medical
Positive
Jan 21, 2026

Ilika has secured its first revenue-generating purchase order from Cirtec Medical for Stereax electrodes, marking the transition of their strategic partnership from technology transfer to commercial production. The electrodes will underpin the ramp-up of Stereax M300 battery manufacturing at Cirtec’s Massachusetts facility, targeting a broad spectrum of active implantable medical device applications, from implanted sensors and neurostimulators to orthopaedic, orthodontic and ophthalmic devices. This move follows two years of joint development and successful prototype deliveries in late 2025, and signals Ilika’s entry into the commercial phase of its medical device battery business, with Stereax M300 currently under evaluation by 21 customers. By retaining key manufacturing processes in the UK while supplying production volumes of critical components to Cirtec, Ilika is positioning itself to benefit from Cirtec’s scale-up and to deepen penetration of high-value medical markets, with the partnership’s commercial readiness to be highlighted at upcoming US industry events.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IKA) stock is a Hold with a £37.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ilika plc stock, see the GB:IKA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Ilika Achieves Major Milestone with Initial Stereax M300 Shipments
Positive
Dec 18, 2025

Ilika plc has achieved a significant milestone by commencing the shipment of its Stereax M300 prototype solid-state batteries to customers, marking a crucial step in its commercial progress. These batteries, developed for high-precision applications such as active implantable medical devices (AIMDs), showcase their enhanced charging capabilities, long-lasting performance, and suitability for advanced medical devices like neurostimulators and orthodontic wearables. Partnering with Cirtec Medical under a 10-year manufacturing agreement, Ilika aims to expand its production capacity and refine the customer experience, targeting a growing $40 billion market for AIMDs with considerable projected growth. This move underscores Ilika’s commitment to integrating state-of-the-art energy solutions into life-changing medical technologies, reflecting its strategic ambitions within the high-growth medical device sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IKA) stock is a Hold with a £41.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ilika plc stock, see the GB:IKA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Ilika plc Begins Shipping Advanced 10Ah Goliath Battery Prototypes
Positive
Dec 11, 2025

Ilika plc has commenced shipping its new 10Ah Goliath battery prototypes, marking a significant milestone in its development schedule. These prototypes, which offer five times the capacity of previous versions, are expected to enhance safety and reduce costs for electric vehicle manufacturers. The successful production on Ilika’s automated pilot line, achieving a 93% yield, positions the company well for future full-scale production and licensing opportunities. The development has garnered interest from major automotive suppliers in the UK and Europe, highlighting Ilika’s potential to offer differentiated technical solutions in the battery market.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IKA) stock is a Hold with a £41.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ilika plc stock, see the GB:IKA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and FinancingProduct-Related Announcements
Ilika plc Advances Solid-State Battery Technology with Key Milestones
Positive
Nov 20, 2025

Ilika plc has made significant progress in its solid-state battery technology, with key advancements in both its Stereax and Goliath product lines. The Stereax M300 micro-battery production line has been qualified for manufacturing at Cirtec Medical’s facility, marking a crucial step towards meeting the demand for medical-grade micro-batteries. Meanwhile, the Goliath 2Ah P1 cells have been validated by customer testing, and the company has secured a £1.25 million grant to support the development of automotive applications. The completion of an automated assembly line for Goliath batteries enhances production capabilities, positioning Ilika to release 10Ah prototypes by December 2025. Despite a decrease in revenue and an increase in EBITDA loss, these developments underscore Ilika’s commitment to advancing its battery technology and expanding its market presence.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IKA) stock is a Hold with a £40.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ilika plc stock, see the GB:IKA 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: Jan 26, 2026