'Not for the Faint of Heart,' Says Investor About Plug Power Stock
Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) has experienced significant volatility, with a 400% surge in summer but concerns over financial stability due to $375 million in convertible notes. A new NASA partnership offers some positive news. Investor Ryan Vanzo sees PLUG as a high-risk opportunity, likening it to a lottery ticket, given the nascent hydrogen fuel industry. Wall Street analysts are mixed, with a consensus Hold rating and a 12-month price target suggesting a 34% upside.
There have been both peaks and valleys this year for Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG).
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Though the company began the year on a decidedly downward trajectory, PLUG surged upward throughout the summer months. At one point, the company's share price was up some 400%.
Things started going downhill again, just a few days after the company's Q3 2025 earnings report. Plug Power shared that it would be taking on more debt in the form of $375 million worth of convertible senior notes, raising concerns about the company's financial standing.
However, some good news hit just this week, as Plug Power announced a new partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to supply up to 480,000 pounds of liquid hydrogen in a deal that could be worth up to $2.8 million. While the dollar amount isn't a game-changer, the company touted the agreement as proof that it could meet the U.S. space agency's "stringent performance, purity, and reliability requirements for mission-critical operations."
How should investors consider the pluses and minuses when it comes to Plug Power? Investor Ryan Vanzo believes that PLUG presents an interesting opportunity, but only for those willing to tolerate high levels of risk.
"Plug Power stock is great for very aggressive investors and those willing to treat a potential investment as a lottery ticket," says the 5-star investor.
Vanzo points out that PLUG is working in the nascent hydrogen fuel industry, and therefore one's opinion of the company is likely tied with how one views this market. The investor readily acknowledges that hydrogen is an intriguing source of clean energy, though he also notes that the economics of this alternative fuel have yet to fully prove themselves.
"Predicting the scale and pace of Plug Power's growth, therefore, hinges on hydrogen's ability to become economically viable," adds Vanzo.
An investment in PLUG is therefore a bit of a roll of the dice, according to Vanzo.
Maybe you'll get lucky and hit the big time, sums up the investor. In that same vein, however, things could also go very south.
"Most long-term investors should stay clear," concludes Vanzo. (To watch Ryan Vanzo's track record, click here)
Wall Street offers a mixed picture, though most analysts appear content to wait-and-see how things play out. With 5 Buys, 9 Holds, and 3 Sells, PLUG carries a consensus Hold (i.e., Neutral) rating. Its 12-month average price target of $2.83 implies an upside of ~34%. (See PLUG stock forecast)
