Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB – Get Free Report) and Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and profitability.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Hubbell and Plug Power, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Hubbell | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 2.55 |
| Plug Power | 3 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2.22 |
Hubbell currently has a consensus target price of $544.22, suggesting a potential upside of 22.76%. Plug Power has a consensus target price of $3.25, suggesting a potential upside of 139.57%. Given Plug Power’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Plug Power is more favorable than Hubbell.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Hubbell and Plug Power”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Hubbell | $5.84 billion | 4.01 | $887.10 million | $17.06 | 25.99 |
| Plug Power | $709.92 million | 2.67 | -$1.63 billion | ($1.26) | -1.08 |
Hubbell has higher revenue and earnings than Plug Power. Plug Power is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hubbell, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Volatility and Risk
Hubbell has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Plug Power has a beta of 2.13, suggesting that its stock price is 113% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
88.2% of Hubbell shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 43.5% of Plug Power shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Hubbell shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of Plug Power shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Profitability
This table compares Hubbell and Plug Power’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Hubbell | 13.78% | 27.33% | 10.61% |
| Plug Power | -153.68% | -61.36% | -20.38% |
Summary
Hubbell beats Plug Power on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Hubbell
Hubbell Incorporated is a manufacturer of electrical and utility products serving customers in the energy, industrial, commercial and residential markets. Its products help support the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as the installation and use of electrical systems. The company’s Utility Solutions business makes products such as connectors, insulators, arresters and other equipment used in electric utility networks. Its Electrical Solutions business supplies wiring devices, lighting and controls, enclosures and related products for buildings and industrial applications.
About Plug Power
Plug Power Inc. develops hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen-generation solutions for businesses seeking alternatives to conventional power and fuel sources. Its offerings include fuel cell systems, electrolyzers that produce hydrogen, hydrogen storage and handling equipment, and related infrastructure and services. The company’s products are used in applications such as material-handling equipment, including warehouse forklifts, as well as stationary power and other industrial and mobility uses. Plug also supplies hydrogen and supports customers with installation, maintenance, and fueling solutions.
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