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ESS Tech (GWH)
NYSE:GWH
US Market

ESS Tech (GWH) AI Stock Analysis

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GWH

ESS Tech

(NYSE:GWH)

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Neutral 45 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:45Neutral
Price Target:
$1.50
▲(21.95% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/06/26
The score is primarily constrained by weak financial performance (sharp revenue decline, persistent losses, and heavy cash burn) and bearish technicals (price below key moving averages with negative MACD). The earnings call provides some offset through cost reductions and commercialization progress, but delayed revenue timing and ongoing capital needs remain significant risks, while valuation metrics provided are not strong enough to materially improve the score.
Positive Factors
Durable product design — Energy Base LDES
Energy Base’s 10–22 hour duration, engineered unlimited cycling and 0% capacity degradation over 25 years create a durable product differentiation for multi‑hour grid and industrial use. This structural technical profile suits renewable integration and long-duration demand, supporting lasting revenue opportunities from utilities, data centers and defense procurement.
Strategic commercial wins and reference projects
Confirmed SRP/Google offtaker and a U.S. Air Force award provide high-quality reference customers and multiyear testing that materially de-risks commercialization. These anchors increase the likelihood of follow-on contracts, support long-term revenue visibility for 2027–28 deliveries, and strengthen ESS’s credibility with utilities and institutional buyers.
Strengthened IP, leadership and structural cost cuts
VoltStorage IP acquisition deepens patent coverage and technical talent while permanent CFO/CCO appointments consolidate commercial and financial execution. Combined with structural operating expense reductions (R&D, S&M, G&A cuts), these moves improve the company’s ability to commercialize at lower burn and better execute manufacturing and sales scale-up over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Severe recent revenue decline and delayed ramp
A ~75% revenue collapse reflects winding down legacy lines and limited current Energy Base shipments. This materially reduces near-term self-funding ability, limits validation of repeatable sales, and leaves the company dependent on achieving multi-year ramp in 2027–28 to reach sustainable revenue — a significant execution and timing risk.
Persistent heavy cash burn and negative free cash flow
Consistently negative operating and free cash flows indicate the business is not self‑funding and must rely on external capital to complete commercialization and manufacturing scale‑up. Persistent burn increases financing frequency and dilution risk, constrains strategic flexibility, and raises execution risk if capital markets tighten before revenue materializes.
Compressed equity base reduces financial cushion
A sharply reduced equity base dramatically lowers the company’s loss-absorbing capacity and financial flexibility. With limited retained capital, ESS faces higher probability of additional dilutive financings or constrained investment choices, making it harder to weather further setbacks during the multi‑year commercialization and delivery cycle.

ESS Tech (GWH) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

ESS Tech Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionESS Tech, Inc., an energy storage company, designs and produces iron flow batteries for commercial and utility-scale energy storage applications worldwide. It offers energy storage products, which include Energy Warehouse, a behind-the-meter solution; and Energy Center, a front-of-the-meter solution. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon.
How the Company Makes MoneyESS Tech generates revenue primarily through the sale of its iron flow battery systems and related services. The company targets utility operators and large-scale energy providers, creating long-term contracts that ensure a steady revenue stream from both product sales and system installations. Additionally, ESS Tech engages in partnerships with renewable energy developers and utilities, which can lead to collaborative projects and funding opportunities. The company may also benefit from government incentives and subsidies aimed at promoting clean energy technologies, further enhancing its financial performance.

ESS Tech Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Mar 05, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 12, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presented a mix of encouraging commercial progress (SRP/Google partnership, Air Force contract), structural cost reductions, strengthened IP and financing actions, and clear product strategy around the Energy Base. However, the company faces significant near-term challenges: revenue has collapsed year-over-year, substantial net losses and negative adjusted EBITDA persist, liquidity is limited relative to commercialization needs, and meaningful revenue is expected mainly in 2027–2028. Progress is evident, but financial and execution risks remain.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Major Commercial Wins and Partnerships
Project New Horizon: 5 MW / 50 MWh system at SRP Copper Crossing with Google confirmed as an offtaker and multiyear operational testing; $9.9 million contract awarded from Concurrent Technologies Corporation and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for a deployment at U.S. Clear Space Force Station in Alaska.
Clear Product Positioning — Energy Base
Flagship Energy Base is a 10–22 hour long-duration iron flow system purpose-built for utility-scale, data center, industrial and defense use; engineered for unlimited cycling with 0% capacity degradation over a 25-year life and >98% U.S. domestic content in manufacturing.
Meaningful Cost Reductions and Operational Restructuring
Total operating expenses decreased 33% year-over-year to $29.7 million (from $44.4 million) driven by R&D cuts of $3.5M, sales & marketing down $5.3M, and G&A down $5.9M; management describes these reductions as structural.
Improved Profitability Trajectory on Key Metrics
Gross loss improved 39% to $27.7 million (from $45.4M); net loss improved 26% to $63.4 million (from $86.2M); adjusted EBITDA improved ~38% to a loss of $44.3 million (from a loss of $71.3M), a $27 million improvement year-over-year.
Strengthened IP and Leadership
Acquisition of VoltStorage IP and assets (Feb 2026) deepens patent coverage and adds experienced personnel; appointment of a permanent CFO and a new Chief Commercial Officer (former VoltStorage CCO) strengthens commercial and financial leadership.
Financing and Balance Sheet Actions
Completed $40 million Yorkville financing (received $30M initially; second $10M tranche drawn in Feb 2026), closed a $15 million registered direct offering in Jan 2026 priced at a premium, raised ~$8.6M gross through an ATM, and repaid approximately $28.5M (95%) of the first $30M Yorkville tranche.
Negative Updates
Steep Revenue Decline
Full year 2025 revenue was $1.6 million, down from $6.3 million in 2024 — a decline of approximately 74.6% — reflecting the deliberate wind-down of legacy product lines and limited current Energy Base shipments.
Continued Large Net Losses and Negative EBITDA
Net loss remained substantial at $63.4 million in FY2025 and adjusted EBITDA was still a negative $44.3 million, indicating the company has not yet reached operating profitability despite improvements.
Near-Term Revenue Ramp Delayed
Management expects most revenue from key Tier 1 customers to arrive in 2027–2028 (manufacturing begins in 2026 with target delivery Dec 2027); limited visibility for 2026 revenue and legacy unit sales are winding down.
Liquidity and Ongoing Capital Needs
Combined liquidity as of Dec 31, 2025 was $22.0 million ($14.5M cash + $7.5M other liquid assets); management acknowledges further capital will be required to support 2027 plans and is being strategic about future financings.
Leadership Turnover and Execution Risks
Departure of the COO and an interim appointment introduce execution risk during a critical commercialization phase; successful delivery and pilot performance (e.g., SRP) are essential before follow-on opportunities materialize.
Company Guidance
The company guided that 2026 will focus on commercializing the Energy Base with manufacturing beginning in 2026 and deliveries targeted for December 2027, with most revenue expected in 2027–2028 (SRP Project New Horizon: 5 MW / 50 MWh with Google as an offtaker; a $9.9M CTC/U.S. Air Force award is underway and SRP’s 10‑year PPA would begin recurring revenue in 2028 if structured as such). Financially, FY2025 revenue was $1.6M (down from $6.3M), gross loss $27.7M (improved 39% from $45.4M), operating expenses $29.7M (down 33% from $44.4M) with R&D down $3.5M, S&M down $5.3M and G&A down $5.9M; net loss was $63.4M (vs. $86.2M, a 26% improvement) and adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $44.3M (improved 38% and ~$27M versus a $71.3M loss in 2024). Liquidity as of 12/31/25 was $14.5M cash + $7.5M other liquid assets = $22M (AR ≈ $0, inventory $0.1M); capital actions include a $40M Yorkville financing ($30M drawn initially, second $10M tranche drawn in early 2026, ~$28.5M or 95% of the first $30M tranche repaid), a $15M registered direct in Jan‑2026, and ~$8.6M gross from the ATM—management expects additional capital needs for 2027+ but sees an improved runway and does not plan to tap the ATM immediately.

ESS Tech Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials are very weak: revenue fell sharply in 2025 (-73.7% YoY), profitability is structurally negative (gross losses and large operating losses), and cash burn remains heavy with deeply negative operating/free cash flow. The balance sheet shows relatively modest leverage, but equity has compressed materially, reducing the cushion against ongoing losses.
Income Statement
9
Very Negative
Revenue has been volatile and deteriorating recently, with 2025 revenue down sharply versus 2024 (-73.7% year-over-year). Profitability is very weak: gross profit is negative in most years (except 2022), and operating losses remain large (2025 EBIT of -$57.4M on only $1.6M of revenue). While 2025 net income is shown as breakeven, the underlying operating performance is still deeply loss-making, indicating the income statement quality and earnings power remain poor.
Balance Sheet
54
Neutral
Leverage is modest overall, with low-to-moderate debt relative to equity in recent years (debt-to-equity ~0.06 in 2024 and ~0.45 in 2025). However, the equity base has compressed materially over time (from $205.2M in 2021 to $8.6M in 2025), reducing the cushion against continued losses and raising financial flexibility risk. Returns on equity are negative/weak across most of the period, reflecting an inability to generate shareholder value despite the generally low debt load.
Cash Flow
12
Very Negative
Cash burn remains heavy and persistent. Operating cash flow is strongly negative each year (e.g., -$50.3M in 2025 and -$72.2M in 2024), and free cash flow is also deeply negative (e.g., -$53.7M in 2025). Free cash flow deterioration in 2025 (down 12.7%) and consistently negative operating cash flow relative to reported earnings indicate the business is not self-funding and likely relies on external capital to sustain operations.
BreakdownDec 2025Mar 2025Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.58M6.29M7.54M894.00K0.00
Gross Profit-33.41M-45.36M-12.96M894.00K-572.00K
EBITDA-49.96M-85.07M-79.39M-103.97M-474.66M
Net Income-63.44M-86.22M-77.58M-77.97M-477.12M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets51.17M71.81M143.23M173.55M250.20M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments22.03M31.60M108.06M139.81M238.94M
Total Debt3.84M1.69M2.54M5.87M3.77M
Total Liabilities42.55M42.93M39.88M36.58M45.04M
Stockholders Equity8.62M28.88M103.36M136.97M205.16M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-53.67M-79.51M-60.69M-95.80M-54.62M
Operating Cash Flow-50.28M-72.22M-54.90M-81.62M-51.85M
Investing Cash Flow7.53M64.76M15.07M-117.88M-2.77M
Financing Cash Flow43.46M174.00K25.65M-4.07M288.45M

ESS Tech Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price1.23
Price Trends
50DMA
1.56
Negative
100DMA
2.17
Negative
200DMA
2.07
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.09
Positive
RSI
35.15
Neutral
STOCH
33.09
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GWH, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 1.23 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 1.39, below the 50-day MA of 1.56, and below the 200-day MA of 2.07, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.09 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 35.15 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 33.09 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GWH.

ESS Tech Risk Analysis

ESS Tech disclosed 80 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. ESS Tech 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

ESS Tech 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%
51
Neutral
$24.18M-1.45209.00%61.78%
48
Neutral
$349.12M-4.17-26.54%41.05%-1.02%
46
Neutral
$25.82M10.40365.40%2.14%5.01%
45
Neutral
$33.42M-0.43-265.36%-3.53%24.37%
45
Neutral
$1.76B-3.0873.98%324.10%-214.91%
42
Neutral
$160.49M-1.85-75.11%-14.27%-28.56%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GWH
ESS Tech
1.23
-2.16
-63.72%
FCEL
Fuelcell Energy
6.59
1.65
33.40%
FLUX
Flux Power Holdings
1.21
-0.89
-42.38%
EOSE
Eos Energy Enterprises
5.19
0.84
19.31%
SDST
Stardust Power
2.45
-4.21
-63.21%
NVX
NOVONIX Ltd Sponsored ADR
0.67
-0.63
-48.23%

ESS Tech Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
ESS Tech Reports 2025 Results Amid Strategic Reset
Neutral
Mar 5, 2026

ESS Tech reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on March 5, 2026, highlighting a leadership and organizational reset, tighter financial discipline and an expansion of its technology base through the acquisition of VoltStorage’s iron-salt battery intellectual property and assets. The company strengthened its commercial pipeline with an updated collaboration with Google on Project New Horizon, a $9.9 million U.S. military storage award and a 5 MW/50 MWh deployment at Salt River Project’s Copper Crossing facility, with manufacturing for New Horizon slated to begin in 2026 and deliveries targeted for December 2027.

Financially, ESS narrowed its net loss to $63.4 million in 2025 from $86.2 million in 2024, improved adjusted EBITDA to negative $44.3 million and cut operating expenses by 33% to $29.7 million, even as revenue remained modest at $1.6 million amid a shift to its Energy Base offering and lower sales volumes. Liquidity actions included a $40 million financing in October 2025, an at-the-market equity program raising about $8.6 million, a $15 million registered direct offering in January 2026 and substantial repayment of a Yorkville promissory note, moves that bolstered cash resources but left working capital at roughly $1 million at year-end 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Buy with a $3.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
ESS Tech Announces $13.5 Million Registered Direct Offering
Neutral
Jan 30, 2026

On January 29, 2026, ESS Tech, Inc. entered into a securities purchase agreement with institutional investors for a registered direct offering of 3,471,428 shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants for 5,100,000 additional shares at approximately $1.75 per share or per warrant, with closing expected around January 30, 2026 and anticipated net proceeds of about $13.5 million to be used for general corporate purposes and working capital. The deal, arranged with Aegis Capital Corp. as exclusive placement agent, includes customary fees and expense reimbursement, a 60-day restriction on additional equity issuance or new registration statements (subject to limited exceptions), and standard warrant terms and ownership limits, underscoring ESS Tech’s continued reliance on equity-linked financing while temporarily constraining further capital-raising flexibility in the near term.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $1.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
ESS Tech expands board, appoints CEO Drew Buckley
Neutral
Jan 29, 2026

On January 23, 2026, ESS Tech’s board of directors expanded its size from seven to eight members and elected Chief Executive Officer Drew Buckley as a Class I director, with a term running until the company’s 2028 annual meeting of stockholders unless he departs earlier. Buckley’s appointment involved no special arrangements, family relationships, or related‑party transactions, and he will not receive additional compensation for his board service beyond his CEO pay, underscoring a straightforward governance change that consolidates leadership without altering the company’s compensation or conflict‑of‑interest profile.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $1.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesPrivate Placements and Financing
ESS Tech Overhauls Executive Team With New Leadership
Positive
Jan 6, 2026

On January 6, 2026, ESS Tech, Inc. announced a broad leadership reshuffle effective January 1, 2026, appointing former Head of Capital Markets Strategy Drew Buckley as chief executive officer, elevating interim CEO Kelly Goodman to chief strategy officer and general counsel, and naming interim CFO Kate Suhadolnik as permanent chief financial officer. Buckley, a former William Blair partner with nearly two decades of experience investing in small- and mid-cap technology companies, signed an employment agreement that includes a $425,000 base salary, performance-based cash bonus eligibility and options on 550,000 shares, reflecting the board’s emphasis on capital discipline, investor credibility and equity-linked incentives as ESS moves into manufacturing and delivery of its first Energy Base projects and broader commercialization. Goodman, an energy-sector legal veteran who previously advanced key customer programs and secured a 50 MWh Energy Base pilot agreement with Salt River Project while serving as interim CEO, will oversee corporate strategy and legal affairs with an increased base salary and heightened bonus opportunity, while Suhadolnik’s confirmation as CFO, alongside a higher base salary and performance-linked bonus, consolidates financial leadership after she steered the company through a recent $40 million financing, signaling a bid to stabilize the executive team and strengthen execution as ESS scales operations and deepens strategic partnerships.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $2.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH 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: Mar 06, 2026