Orion Energy Systems (NASDAQ:OESX – Get Free Report) and Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ:BLDP – Get Free Report) are both small-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and profitability.
Volatility & Risk
Orion Energy Systems has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ballard Power Systems has a beta of 2.21, indicating that its stock price is 121% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of current ratings for Orion Energy Systems and Ballard Power Systems, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Orion Energy Systems | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2.50 |
| Ballard Power Systems | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1.94 |
Orion Energy Systems presently has a consensus price target of $36.50, indicating a potential upside of 191.77%. Ballard Power Systems has a consensus price target of $3.13, indicating a potential upside of 104.11%. Given Orion Energy Systems’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Orion Energy Systems is more favorable than Ballard Power Systems.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Orion Energy Systems and Ballard Power Systems”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Orion Energy Systems | $86.31 million | 0.59 | -$3.16 million | ($0.08) | -156.38 |
| Ballard Power Systems | $99.40 million | 5.43 | -$90.91 million | ($0.26) | -5.90 |
Orion Energy Systems has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Ballard Power Systems. Orion Energy Systems is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ballard Power Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
52.6% of Orion Energy Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 28.0% of Ballard Power Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 5.3% of Orion Energy Systems shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Ballard Power Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Profitability
This table compares Orion Energy Systems and Ballard Power Systems’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Orion Energy Systems | -0.20% | 10.66% | 3.28% |
| Ballard Power Systems | -72.78% | -13.23% | -11.44% |
Summary
Orion Energy Systems beats Ballard Power Systems on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Orion Energy Systems
Orion Energy Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, researches, designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, installs, and implements energy management systems for commercial office and retail, area lighting, industrial applications, and government in North America and Germany. It operates in three segments: Lighting, Maintenance, and Electric Vehicle (EV). The company offers light emitting diode (LED) lighting products; construction and engineering services for commercial lighting and energy management system; lighting and electrical system maintenance, repair, and replacement services; and EV charging station and installation solutions. It also provides LED high bay fixtures and LED troffer retrofits; smart lighting controls, a wireless Internet of Things enabled control solution that provides lighting control options and data intelligence capabilities for building managers; and various LED fixtures for lighting and energy management needs comprising fixtures for agribusinesses, parking lots, roadways, retail, mezzanine, outdoor applications, and private label resale. In addition, the company offers lighting-related energy management services, such as site assessment, site field verification, utility incentive and government subsidy management, engineering design, project management, facility design commissioning, and recycling. It serves customers directly and through independent sales agencies and distributors, national account end-users, federal and state government facilities, regional account end-users, electrical distributors, electrical contractors, and energy service companies. Orion Energy Systems, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, sale, and service of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products. The company offers its products for power product comprising for bus, truck, rail, marine, stationary, and emerging market, such as material handling, off-road, and other applications. It also engages in the delivery of services, including technology solutions, after sales services, and training; and provision of engineering services, product and systems integration services, and related technology transfer for a variety of PEM fuel cell applications. It operates in the United States, Germany, Canada, China, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Belgium, India, Taiwan, Spain, Norway, Australia, Japan, and internationally. The company has a strategic alliance with Linamar Corporation for the co-development and sale of fuel cell powertrains and components for class 1 and 2 vehicles in North America and Europe. Ballard Power Systems Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada.
Receive News & Ratings for Orion Energy Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Orion Energy Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
