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OPAL Fuels (OPAL)
NASDAQ:OPAL
US Market

OPAL Fuels (OPAL) AI Stock Analysis

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OPAL

OPAL Fuels

(NASDAQ:OPAL)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$3.00
▲(9.89% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/17/26
The score is held back primarily by balance-sheet instability and persistently negative free cash flow despite revenue growth and improved net income. Valuation is a key offset with a very low P/E, while the technical setup is generally positive but shows stretched momentum. Earnings-call guidance supports moderate growth and stronger utilization, though commodity (RIN) and demand timing headwinds remain material.
Positive Factors
RNG Production & Top‑line Growth
Sustained production and revenue growth show the business is scaling its core RNG platform. Higher volumes improve operational leverage, support longer‑term contract bargaining power, and underpin the company’s ability to convert project investments into recurring fuel sales and environmental credit generation.
Downstream Fuel Station Expansion
Expanding owned stations diversifies revenue toward downstream, recurring operations and services. This downstream footprint increases customer lock‑in, improves margin mix versus wholesale commodity sales, and provides a durable channel to monetize RNG and environmental attributes over multiple cycles.
Strengthened Liquidity & Capital Access
Meaningful incremental liquidity and committed capital lines reduce execution risk for multi‑year project builds. Access to preferred equity and term capacity supports committed CapEx, enabling the company to fund construction pipelines and hit utilization targets necessary for durable production and EBITDA growth.
Negative Factors
Balance‑Sheet Instability & High Leverage
Volatile equity and elevated leverage constrain financial flexibility and raise refinancing and covenants risk. For a capital‑intensive RNG business, unstable capitalization increases the cost of new projects, limits optionality under stress, and can force dilutive or costly funding alternatives over time.
Persistent Negative Free Cash Flow
Chronic negative FCF implies the company must continually raise external capital to fund growth and maintain assets. Poor cash conversion reduces enterprise resilience, heightens dilution/refinancing risk, and can constrain capital allocation flexibility for maintenance, expansion, or shareholder returns over the medium term.
Environmental Credit & Regulatory Exposure
A substantial portion of economics depends on RIN/LCFS credits and pathway eligibility. Credit price swings and regulatory expirations directly compress margins and make earnings volatile. This structural exposure complicates long‑range cash flow visibility and increases sensitivity to policy and commodity cycles.

OPAL Fuels (OPAL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

OPAL Fuels Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionOPAL Fuels Inc. engages in the production and distribution of renewable natural gas for use as a vehicle fuel for heavy and medium-duty trucking fleets. It also designs, develops, constructs, operates, and services fueling stations for trucking fleets that use natural gas to displace diesel as transportation fuel. In addition, it offers design, development, and construction services for hydrogen fueling stations. Further, the company generates and sells renewable power to utilities. As of May 1, 2022, it owned and operated 24 biogas projects. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in White Plains, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyOPAL makes money primarily by selling renewable natural gas (RNG) used as a transportation fuel and by earning environmental attribute revenues tied to RNG. Key revenue streams include: (1) Sale of RNG as a physical commodity: OPAL produces or sources RNG and sells it to customers (often fleets, fuel marketers, or counterparties that serve transportation demand). The price received can reflect natural gas market dynamics and contract terms. (2) Monetization of environmental credits associated with RNG used as transportation fuel: In the U.S., RNG used in transportation can generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and credits under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) when dispensed into transportation. OPAL typically captures value by selling the associated RINs and/or LCFS credits (or by embedding that value in bundled fuel contracts), which can be a significant driver of revenue and margins relative to commodity gas alone. (3) Fueling infrastructure and services: OPAL develops, owns, operates, and/or maintains CNG/RNG fueling stations and related equipment for fleet customers. Revenue can come from fuel dispensed through OPAL-operated stations and from station-related services (e.g., operations and maintenance, station management, and potentially development or upgrade work where applicable). (4) Project development/operations related income: OPAL’s RNG platform involves developing and operating landfill-gas-to-RNG and other biogas upgrading facilities; earnings are influenced by plant uptime, feedstock gas availability, and the terms of contracts with landfill or waste partners that supply biogas and/or host projects. Significant factors affecting earnings include credit price volatility (RIN and LCFS markets), RNG production volumes, the carbon intensity score of RNG pathways (which impacts LCFS credit generation), contract structures (fixed vs index-linked pricing and credit-sharing arrangements), and regulatory policy changes that impact eligibility or credit economics.

OPAL Fuels Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
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Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Analyzes income from different business areas, highlighting which segments drive growth and profitability, and indicating strategic focus areas.
Chart InsightsOPAL Fuels' RNG Fuel and Fuel Station Services segments are showing strong growth, with RNG production up 33% year-over-year and Fuel Station Services EBITDA increasing by 30%. However, Renewable Power revenue is declining, reflecting broader challenges in this area. Despite lower RIN prices impacting financials, the company remains optimistic, supported by policy developments like the 45Z tax credit extension. Inclusion in the Russell indices and strategic investments in RNG projects and Fuel Station Services are expected to drive future growth, underscoring management's confidence in overcoming current market challenges.
Data provided by:The Fly

OPAL Fuels Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Mar 16, 2026
(Q4-2025)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 07, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a broadly constructive operational and liquidity picture: material production growth (28% YoY), improved plant utilization, expansion of owned fueling stations, and strengthened capital structure (new $180M preferred facility and credit draws). These positives were offset by meaningful macro and commodity headwinds—chiefly a ~ $0.70 decline in realized D3 RIN prices that reduced adjusted EBITDA by roughly $33M, the expiration of an ISCC pathway contribution (> $10M in 2024), and delayed downstream demand from fleet deferrals and adverse winter weather. Management delivered 2026 guidance implying modest growth (midpoint ~14%) and emphasized cautious, disciplined capital allocation. On balance, operational momentum, improved liquidity, and forward guidance outweigh the near-term headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong RNG Production Growth
RNG production reached 4.9 million MMBtu in 2025, up 28% year-over-year; fourth-quarter production exceeded 1.3 million MMBtu, ~24% higher versus Q4 2024. Management expects 2026 production of 5.4–5.8 million MMBtu (>14% growth versus 2025).
Resilient Adjusted EBITDA and Q4 Outperformance
Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $90.2 million (essentially flat versus 2024) despite commodity headwinds. Fourth-quarter revenue was $99.8 million and adjusted EBITDA was $34.2 million versus $80.0 million revenue and $22.6 million adjusted EBITDA in Q4 2024.
Fuel Station Services Expansion and EBITDA Growth
OPAL-owned fueling stations increased to 61 at year-end. Fuel Station Services segment EBITDA rose to $46.7 million from $38.4 million in 2024, a 22% increase year-over-year, improving earnings mix and downstream visibility.
Improved Operations and Utilization
Operating availability/efficiency improved from roughly 70% to ~80% during 2025 with a management target of ~85–86% utilization, driven by upgraded operating teams and plant tuning (e.g., gas quality, nitrogen rejection optimizations).
Strengthened Liquidity and Capital Structure
Closed a $180 million Series A preferred facility, repaid a $100 million preferred investment, and drew ≈$128 million under the senior secured credit facility. Reported total year-end liquidity of $184 million (≈$30M cash and short-term investments, $138M undrawn term capacity, $16M revolver availability).
2026 Financial Guidance and Capital Allocation
Provided 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $95M–$110M (midpoint ~14% growth versus 2025) and 2026 CapEx plan of ~$154 million focused on committed construction projects and select downstream investments. Assumes ~$15M–$20M of 45Z credits in 2026.
Historic Growth Track Record
Since going public nearly four years ago, compounded annual growth rates are 32% for RNG production and 22% for adjusted EBITDA, underscoring multi-year production and earnings growth trends.
Negative Updates
Decline in RIN Prices and Significant EBITDA Headwind
Realized D3 RIN price averaged $2.45 in 2025 versus $3.13 in 2024 (decline of ≈$0.68–$0.70), which management estimates reduced adjusted EBITDA by approximately $33 million in 2025.
Fuel Station Services Growth Below Expectations
Although segment EBITDA rose 22% YoY, Fuel Station Services performance was below company guidance due to deferred fleet investment decisions and postponed new truck and station purchases by fleet partners.
Regulatory / Pathway Impacts on Comparability
The ISCC pathway expired in November 2024 and contributed in excess of $10 million to adjusted EBITDA in 2024, creating a headwind to year-over-year comparability in 2025 results.
Seasonal and Weather-Related Operational Disruption
Management noted an extraordinarily cold winter and a challenging start to 2026 (storms/snow) that negatively affected production and dispensing volumes and was explicitly factored into 2026 guidance.
Commodity and Macro Uncertainty Affecting Demand Timing
Macro factors in 2025—freight recession, tariffs, and OEM/engine testing (e.g., X15 testing)—delayed fleet purchases and station rollouts, pushing meaningful downstream benefits further into 2027 and beyond.
Capital Allocation and Timing Uncertainty
Although liquidity is strengthened, management highlighted prudence in capital deployment across competing opportunities (upstream RNG projects, fuel stations, and opportunistic M&A). Some projects in construction and commissioning timelines (e.g., Cottonwood and Burlington) could ramp slower, limiting near-term financial uplift.
Company Guidance
OPAL guided 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $95–$110 million (midpoint ≈ $102.5M, ~14% growth vs 2025’s $90.2M) and RNG production of 5.4–5.8 million MMBtu (>14% vs 2025’s 4.9M MMBtu), assuming ~$15–$20M of 45Z credits; it expects roughly $154M of 2026 CapEx (primarily committed upstream projects plus some fueling stations), targets plant utilization of ~85–86% (up from ~70%→~80% in 2025), and reiterates a rough long-run economics of about $20 of EBITDA/cash flow per MMBtu. The guidance factors in a difficult winter start to 2026 and is supported by year-end liquidity (~$184M total: ≈$30M cash, $138M undrawn term capacity, $16M revolver), a $180M Series A preferred facility, ~ $128M drawn on the term loan, and an in-construction pipeline of ~2.8M MMBtu (with management noting potential for ~2.0M MMBtu of early-days production).

OPAL Fuels Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue growth and a shift from losses to positive net income are positives, but operating profitability is very thin (TTM EBIT margin ~0.6%). Balance-sheet risk is elevated given the recent history of negative equity and erratic/extreme leverage signals, and free cash flow has been consistently negative (TTM about -$34M), limiting financial flexibility.
Income Statement
56
Neutral
Revenue has expanded meaningfully over the period (from $118M in 2020 to $349M in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months)), showing a solid top-line trajectory. Profitability has improved from a net loss in 2020 to positive net income in recent years, but current earnings quality looks modest: TTM net margin is only ~3.4% and operating profitability is thin (TTM EBIT margin ~0.6%) versus stronger levels seen in some prior years. Gross margin is relatively steady (~28–33%), but the big swing in operating metrics across years suggests volatility and limited consistency in converting gross profit into durable operating profit.
Balance Sheet
32
Negative
The balance sheet shows elevated financial risk signals and instability in the equity base. Stockholders’ equity was negative in 2022–2024 before turning positive in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), indicating a meaningful swing in capitalization over time. Leverage indicators are concerning: debt-to-equity is extreme/erratic (including negative values when equity was negative and a very high level in TTM), which points to either high leverage or an equity base that has been unusually volatile. Total assets have grown (to ~$959M TTM), but returns on equity are negative in recent periods, suggesting shareholders are not yet being rewarded for the capital employed.
Cash Flow
35
Negative
Operating cash flow is positive in most years and improved to ~$36.5M in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), which is a constructive sign. However, free cash flow has been consistently negative across all periods (TTM about -$34M), implying ongoing capital intensity and/or heavy reinvestment needs. Cash conversion remains a key weakness: free cash flow is negative relative to net income in every period, and operating cash flow covers only about half of net income in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), indicating profits are not translating cleanly into cash available to investors.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue348.98M299.97M256.11M235.53M166.12M
Gross Profit83.81M100.12M72.21M72.74M51.06M
EBITDA28.13M40.95M150.74M53.31M58.24M
Net Income4.28M11.03M29.95M11.32M210.00K
Balance Sheet
Total Assets959.47M881.08M754.61M644.86M380.84M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments24.41M24.31M48.22M105.37M39.31M
Total Debt365.43M310.56M210.61M179.65M229.10M
Total Liabilities461.71M416.05M297.12M267.04M285.89M
Stockholders Equity497.76M-148.45M-478.81M-800.60M14.00K
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-34.24M-94.21M-75.56M-132.76M-70.79M
Operating Cash Flow36.50M33.03M38.27M-1.35M18.86M
Investing Cash Flow-77.32M-134.55M-74.15M-184.03M-117.20M
Financing Cash Flow41.56M83.50M5.90M220.55M125.01M

OPAL Fuels Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price2.73
Price Trends
50DMA
2.30
Positive
100DMA
2.34
Positive
200DMA
2.43
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.02
Negative
RSI
57.22
Neutral
STOCH
62.05
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For OPAL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 2.73 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.15, above the 50-day MA of 2.30, and above the 200-day MA of 2.43, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.02 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.22 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 62.05 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for OPAL.

OPAL Fuels Risk Analysis

OPAL Fuels disclosed 68 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. OPAL Fuels 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

OPAL Fuels Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
68
Neutral
$222.75M11.1511.11%3.75%12.63%10.99%
66
Neutral
$17.65B18.105.60%3.62%6.62%11.55%
65
Neutral
$2.18B16.857.78%4.18%11.27%20.04%
65
Neutral
$1.36B6.8120.91%6.97%7.94%43.23%
61
Neutral
$3.04B103.123.50%
58
Neutral
$423.08M15.50-40.95%7.03%-86.15%
43
Neutral
$327.24M-0.52-87.35%-27.23%-634.60%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
OPAL
OPAL Fuels
2.44
0.45
22.61%
NWN
Northwest Gas
52.40
12.27
30.58%
RGCO
Rgc Resources
21.43
1.44
7.21%
SPH
Suburban Propane
20.53
0.96
4.90%
NFE
New Fortress Energy
1.15
-8.70
-88.32%
CTRI
Centuri Holdings, Inc.
30.17
13.75
83.74%

OPAL Fuels Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
OPAL Fuels Secures New Preferred Equity and Debt Financing
Positive
Mar 9, 2026

On March 6, 2026, OPAL Fuels LLC entered into a subscription agreement with Preferred Fuels LLC, an affiliate of majority shareholder Fortistar, for a preferred equity facility of up to $180 million in Series A preferred units. At the initial closing the investor purchased $120 million of units, with a further $60 million available at OPAL Fuels’ discretion, and the units carry a 12% annual preferred distribution with partial payment-in-kind flexibility.

Roughly $100 million of the initial proceeds were used to fully redeem Series A preferred units previously held by NextEra Energy subsidiary Mendocino Capital, simplifying OPAL Fuels’ capital structure and reallocating ownership toward Fortistar. Remaining proceeds and future draws are earmarked for general corporate purposes and to fund new RNG projects and fueling infrastructure, while amended terms give investors enhanced redemption rights and, if redemptions are not honored, the ability to appoint a director, tightening financial discipline and governance around the preferred capital.

Separately, OPAL Fuels Intermediate HoldCo LLC drew down about $128.4 million under its existing credit and guarantee facility before the delayed draw period expired, using part of the funds to repay approximately $20 million on its revolving loan. The combination of the preferred equity raise and incremental debt draw bolsters the company’s liquidity for project development and balance sheet management, potentially supporting OPAL Fuels’ growth plans in the RNG and clean fuels markets while increasing fixed obligations to preferred holders and lenders.

The most recent analyst rating on (OPAL) stock is a Hold with a $2.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on OPAL Fuels stock, see the OPAL 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 17, 2026