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ESS Tech (GWH)
NYSE:GWH
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ESS Tech (GWH) AI Stock Analysis

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ESS Tech

(NYSE:GWH)

Rating:44Neutral
Price Target:
$1.50
▲(17.19%Upside)
The overall score of 44 reflects ESS Tech's significant financial and operational challenges, including negative margins, high leverage, and recent financing issues, which overshadow the positive aspects such as strategic direction and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Positive Factors
Cost Management
Management has made meaningful progress in reducing the costs of its Energy Warehouse and Energy Center offerings.
Product Offering
Beginning to see traction with Energy Base offering, with a 50MWh award.
Negative Factors
Competitive Threats
The company is facing a competitive threat from lithium-ion batteries, which are becoming increasingly cost-effective for long-duration energy storage.
Market Capitalization
Potential delisting from NYSE given ESS's market capitalization is below the $50mn minimum.
Revenue Performance
Lower than expected revenue this quarter, due to continued delays with a customer in Australia that has not been able to secure funding.

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, Inc. generates revenue primarily through the sale of its iron flow battery systems. These systems are marketed to utilities, commercial entities, and industrial customers seeking reliable and sustainable long-duration energy storage solutions. The company may also engage in strategic partnerships and collaborations to enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach. Additionally, ESS Tech might receive income from service contracts related to the maintenance and support of its energy storage systems, as well as from potential licensing or technology transfer agreements. Key revenue streams include direct sales of energy storage products, ongoing service agreements, and strategic alliances that facilitate the deployment and adoption of its technology.

ESS Tech Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 15, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -50.00%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mixed sentiment. While there were positive developments such as the successful launch of the energy base product and strategic shifts towards longer duration storage, these were overshadowed by significant challenges in capital raising and ongoing negative EBITDA. The company is facing a challenging capital markets environment, yet it shows promise with its strategic direction and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful Energy Base Product Launch
ESS successfully launched the energy base product, securing early momentum by winning a competitive 50 megawatt hour, 5 megawatt pilot project with an Arizona public utility. This indicates significant emerging demand for non-lithium ion longer duration storage technologies.
Strategic Shift to Longer Duration Storage
ESS's strategic pivot to focus on longer duration storage opportunities (10+ hours) with the energy base product is yielding results. Proposal activity has increased substantially, totaling approximately 1.2 gigawatt hours and $400 million in the last two quarters.
Strong Domestic Manufacturing Position
ESS has a high degree of American-made inputs, with over 98% of components sourced domestically. This positions them well amidst changing tariff landscapes and legislative support for domestic battery manufacturing.
Negative Updates
Challenging Capital Markets Environment
ESS has not completed its capital raise, and the current capital markets environment is challenging. The company is aggressively pursuing all available options to extend its runway.
Negative EBITDA and Cash Flow Concerns
ESS reported an adjusted EBITDA of negative $15 million for Q1 2025, with efforts to transition to positive EBITDA and cash flow anticipated only in the next few years.
Limited Current Revenue and Customer Payment Structures
Q1 revenue was only $600,000, with future revenue contingent on project completions. ESS relies on customer payments upon contracting to support material purchases and offset costs.
Company Guidance
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, ESS reported revenue of $600,000, with 65% from equipment and 35% from site preparation, primarily tied to final deliveries of battery systems to a Florida utility customer. The company anticipates maintaining similar revenue levels in the first half of the year, with a ramp expected in the second half based on energy-based sales. ESS secured a pilot project in Arizona for a 50 MWh, 5 MW non-lithium project, with potential for a 2 GWh, 200 MW follow-on project. The company is focusing on its energy-based product, which offers 10+ hour storage and competitive pricing, and is supported by positive legislative tailwinds for domestic battery manufacturing. Despite current challenges in capital raising, ESS is pursuing various financing options to extend its runway and is working towards a strategic capital raise to strengthen its balance sheet. The company reported a GAAP cost of revenue of $8.7 million and adjusted EBITDA of negative $15 million for the quarter, with ongoing efforts to reduce costs and improve cash flow.

ESS Tech Financial Statement Overview

Summary
ESS Tech shows significant financial challenges with negative profitability margins, high leverage, and cash flow issues. The overall financial health is weak, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
Income Statement
25
Negative
ESS Tech shows an overall weak performance on the income statement. The Gross Profit Margin and Net Profit Margin are negative, indicating the company is not profitable. The company has experienced declining revenue, with a sharp decrease in the Revenue Growth Rate from 2023 to 2024. Negative EBIT and EBITDA margins further highlight financial challenges.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet reveals financial instability, with a low Equity Ratio and fluctuating Stockholders' Equity over the years. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is quite high, suggesting significant leverage. However, the company has managed to maintain positive Stockholders' Equity in recent years.
Cash Flow
30
Negative
ESS Tech faces cash flow challenges, with negative Free Cash Flow and high Operating Cash Flow deficits. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is unfavorable, indicating cash flow issues in relation to earnings.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.29M7.54M894.00K0.000.00
Gross Profit-45.36M-12.96M-1.76M-572.00K-436.00K
EBITDA-85.07M-79.39M-103.97M-60.03M-16.96M
Net Income-86.22M-77.58M-77.97M-324.85M-30.48M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets71.81M143.23M173.55M250.20M9.02M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments31.60M108.06M139.81M238.94M4.90M
Total Debt1.69M2.54M5.87M3.77M5.70M
Total Liabilities42.93M39.88M36.58M45.33M36.91M
Stockholders Equity28.88M103.36M136.97M204.87M-27.89M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-79.51M-60.69M-95.80M-54.62M-17.15M
Operating Cash Flow-72.22M-54.90M-81.62M-51.85M-16.64M
Investing Cash Flow64.76M15.07M-117.88M-2.77M-502.00K
Financing Cash Flow174.00K25.65M-4.07M288.45M4.72M

ESS Tech Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price1.28
Price Trends
50DMA
1.58
Negative
100DMA
2.26
Negative
200DMA
4.26
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
<0.01
Negative
RSI
51.83
Neutral
STOCH
22.79
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GWH, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 1.28 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 1.34, below the 50-day MA of 1.58, and below the 200-day MA of 4.26, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of <0.01 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 51.83 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.79 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral 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 (71)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
¥255.19B13.588.48%3.01%6.34%13.16%
56
Neutral
$478.90M-20.64%3.22%-33.20%
55
Neutral
$2.81B-85.86%60.23%51.95%
54
Neutral
$1.27B125.43%37.60%-161.38%
NVNVX
48
Neutral
$168.22M-47.77%-27.50%-58.61%
GWGWH
44
Neutral
$17.80M-172.05%-58.05%-6.90%
44
Neutral
$109.05M-395.45%12.42%23.63%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GWH
ESS Tech
1.51
-10.57
-87.50%
SKYX
SQL Technologies
1.04
0.02
1.96%
EOSE
Eos Energy Enterprises
5.07
3.21
172.58%
ENVX
Enovix
15.10
-0.95
-5.92%
SLDP
Solid Power
3.11
0.99
46.70%
NVX
NOVONIX Ltd Sponsored ADR
1.27
-0.43
-25.29%

ESS Tech Corporate Events

Delistings and Listing ChangesPrivate Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
ESS Tech Secures $25 Million Equity Purchase Agreement
Neutral
Jul 11, 2025

On July 9, 2025, ESS Tech, Inc. entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with YA II PN, LTD, allowing the company to sell up to $25 million of its common stock over a three-year term. This agreement is part of a broader $31 million insider-led funding package aimed at supporting ESS’s strategic shift and strengthening its cash position. Additionally, ESS secured its first Energy Base order for an 8 MWh project, marking significant progress in its strategic pivot to long-duration energy storage solutions. The company also announced a sale and leaseback agreement for its stack assembly line and various financial measures to improve its cash flow and operational efficiency. Despite these efforts, ESS faces challenges with its NYSE listing due to not meeting the minimum market capitalization standards, which could lead to delisting if not addressed.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $13.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH Stock Forecast page.

Product-Related AnnouncementsPrivate Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
ESS Tech Secures New Orders and Seeks Financing
Neutral
Jun 4, 2025

ESS Tech, Inc. has closed additional orders for its Energy Warehouse and Energy Center products as part of its inventory movement strategy, alongside its first core component sale for the Energy Base product. These transactions, expected to generate approximately $2.5 million in revenue and $1 million from Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits in the second quarter, will enhance the company’s cash position but require further funding to continue operations. The company is actively seeking additional financing options, though there is no guarantee of success.

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

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
ESS Tech Faces Financing Challenges Amid WARN Notices
Negative
May 28, 2025

On May 27, 2025, ESS Tech, Inc. announced that it has not secured the necessary financing to avoid a potential shutdown, prompting the issuance of WARN Act notices to employees and officials. Despite this setback, the company remains committed to exploring financing options and executing its business strategy, having recently secured a project with a major U.S. utility and engaging in further discussions for additional projects.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $3.00 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: Jul 15, 2025