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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 43 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:43Neutral
Price Target:
$1.50
▼(-12.28% Downside)
Overall score is dragged down primarily by very weak financial performance (losses, negative cash flows, and negative equity) and bearish technicals (below key moving averages with negative MACD). The earnings call provides some offset via strategic progress and financing actions, but sharp revenue decline and ongoing losses keep risk elevated; valuation is also constrained by negative earnings and no dividend support.
Positive Factors
Commercial-scale Energy Base pilot
A 50 MWh commercial-scale Energy Base pilot validates ESS’s iron-flow technology at utility scale, accelerating learning in manufacturing, installation and operations. Successful pilot deployments improve credibility with utilities and support a durable sales pipeline for multi-hour storage projects.
Win with U.S. Dept. of Defense / DoD pipeline
A DoD contract to supply up to 27 MWh demonstrates product suitability for resilient, mission-critical microgrids and preference for American-made systems. Defense engagements can create repeatable, high-margin program opportunities and reduce market adoption risk over the medium term.
Management overhaul with capital markets experience
Installing a CEO with capital-markets experience and a permanent CFO signals stronger institutional governance and capital discipline. Improved leadership enhances execution credibility during manufacturing scale-up, strategic fundraising, and commercial transition—key for long-term scaling.
Negative Factors
Negative stockholders' equity
Negative equity indicates solvency stress that can limit access to non-dilutive debt, weaken supplier and partner confidence, and constrain large project bidding. Until capital structure is repaired or sustained profitability achieved, financial fragility remains a durable risk to operations.
Sharp revenue decline and operating losses
A dramatic drop in quarter revenue alongside a $10.4M net loss shows commercial adoption is uneven and the firm is burning cash while transitioning platforms. Structural viability depends on turning pilots into repeatable, contracted sales to stem losses and extend runway.
Reliance on dilutive equity financing
Repeated use of ATM and registered-direct offerings suggests persistent funding needs and dilutive financing as the primary lever. This constrains future capital options, pressures per-share economics, and signals capital intensity that must be resolved to sustainably scale deployments.

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:Nov 12, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted ESS's strategic advancements with the Energy Base platform, successful capital raising efforts, and strong partnerships, counterbalanced by significant revenue decline and net losses. While there are positive steps towards future growth, current financial challenges remain evident.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Launch of Energy Base Platform
ESS announced a 50-megawatt-hour Energy Base pilot project with Salt River Project, marking the first commercial scale deployment of their next-generation Energy Base platform.
Successful Capital Raising
ESS completed a $40 million financing with Yorkville Advisors and launched a $75 million at-the-market equity program, reinforcing their balance sheet and providing flexibility for future growth.
Strategic Partnerships and Customer Engagement
ESS has built strong relationships with Tier 1 customers including SB Energy, Honeywell, Portland General Electric, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District, validating their technology's readiness for real-world deployments.
Operational and Financial Improvements
The company reported continued cost control with operating expenses at $5.1 million and a focus on executing strategic plans with improved operational discipline and manufacturing capabilities.
Negative Updates
Significant Revenue Decline
Quarterly revenue decreased to $200,000 from $2.4 million in the previous quarter, reflecting the transition to the Energy Base platform.
Net Loss and Cash Reserves
The company reported a net loss of $10.4 million for the quarter and ended with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $3.5 million, not including post-quarter financing proceeds.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, ESS provided guidance on several key metrics. The company reported revenue of $200,000, a decrease from $2.4 million in the previous quarter, reflecting its transition to the Energy Base platform. Operating expenses were reported at $5.1 million, with a net loss of $10.4 million or $0.73 per share. ESS ended the quarter with $3.5 million in cash, excluding $30 million from a recent financing deal with Yorkville Advisors. The company announced a $75 million at-the-market equity program to further support growth. ESS also highlighted a 50-megawatt-hour Energy Base pilot project with Salt River Project and emphasized its strategic focus on long-duration energy storage solutions, aiming for 10-hour durations currently and targeting 16-hour batteries by 2029. The company plans to host an Investor Day in early 2026 to provide further insights into its progress and future roadmap.

ESS Tech Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Weak fundamentals: negative gross and net margins, declining revenue trend, deeply negative EBIT/EBITDA margins, negative operating and free cash flow, and a stressed balance sheet with negative stockholders’ equity indicating elevated solvency risk.
Income Statement
20
Very Negative
ESS Tech's income statement reveals significant challenges, with negative gross and net profit margins indicating a lack of profitability. The company has experienced declining revenue growth, with a negative trajectory over the TTM period. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also deeply negative, reflecting operational inefficiencies and high costs relative to revenue.
Balance Sheet
30
Negative
The balance sheet shows a concerning financial position with negative stockholders' equity, indicating potential solvency issues. The debt-to-equity ratio is negative, which is unusual and highlights financial instability. Return on equity is also negative, suggesting that the company is not generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is not calculable due to negative equity.
Cash Flow
25
Negative
Cash flow analysis indicates negative operating and free cash flows, with a declining free cash flow growth rate. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, suggesting cash flow issues relative to reported earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio is slightly positive, but this is overshadowed by the overall negative cash flow trends.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.02M6.29M7.54M894.00K0.000.00
Gross Profit-31.16M-45.36M-12.96M894.00K-572.00K-436.00K
EBITDA-57.13M-85.07M-79.39M-103.97M-474.66M-29.85M
Net Income-62.94M-86.22M-77.58M-77.97M-477.12M-30.42M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets36.15M71.81M143.23M173.55M250.20M9.02M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.54M31.60M108.06M139.81M238.94M4.90M
Total Debt439.00K1.69M2.54M5.87M3.77M5.70M
Total Liabilities37.91M42.93M39.88M36.58M45.04M10.67M
Stockholders Equity-1.77M28.88M103.36M136.97M205.16M-1.65M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-61.45M-79.51M-60.69M-95.80M-54.62M-17.15M
Operating Cash Flow-56.91M-72.22M-54.90M-81.62M-51.85M-16.64M
Investing Cash Flow38.21M64.76M15.07M-117.88M-2.77M-502.00K
Financing Cash Flow8.99M174.00K25.65M-4.07M288.45M4.72M

ESS Tech Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price1.71
Price Trends
50DMA
2.07
Negative
100DMA
2.64
Negative
200DMA
2.18
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.12
Negative
RSI
39.23
Neutral
STOCH
28.25
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 1.71 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 1.83, below the 50-day MA of 2.07, and below the 200-day MA of 2.18, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.12 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 39.23 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 28.25 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%
59
Neutral
$5.41B-1.93324.10%-214.91%
51
Neutral
$459.70M-1.15-26.12%41.05%-1.02%
48
Neutral
$44.28M-1.1461.78%
47
Neutral
$243.69M-2.10-45.13%-14.27%-28.56%
43
Neutral
$32.96M-0.34-265.36%-3.53%24.37%
42
Neutral
$31.58M2.14%5.01%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GWH
ESS Tech
1.71
-3.80
-68.97%
FCEL
Fuelcell Energy
8.99
1.31
17.06%
FLUX
Flux Power Holdings
1.41
-0.38
-21.23%
EOSE
Eos Energy Enterprises
16.11
10.37
180.66%
SDST
Stardust Power
4.38
-5.62
-56.20%
NVX
NOVONIX Ltd Sponsored ADR
1.04
-0.42
-28.77%

ESS Tech Corporate Events

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.

Private Placements and Financing
ESS Tech Amends Promissory Note Agreement with Yorkville
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

On December 4, 2025, ESS Tech, Inc. and YA II PN, LTD., managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, L.P., amended their promissory note agreement. The amendment extends the deadline for the second tranche payment from December 12, 2025, to February 28, 2026, and adjusts the conditions for the payment, requiring the principal amount under Tranche One to be $7 million or less.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on ESS Tech stock, see the GWH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
ESS Tech Launches ‘At the Market’ Offering Program
Neutral
Nov 13, 2025

On November 13, 2025, ESS Tech, Inc. announced the launch of an ‘at the market offering’ program, entering into a Sales Agreement with several financial agents to sell shares of its common stock. The company plans to use the proceeds primarily to satisfy obligations under a Promissory Note with YA II PN, LTD., with remaining funds allocated for working capital and general corporate purposes. This strategic move aims to enhance ESS Tech’s financial flexibility and support its operational needs.

The most recent analyst rating on (GWH) stock is a Hold with a $4.50 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: Jan 06, 2026