tiprankstipranks
Aqua Metals Inc. (AQMS)
:AQMS

Aqua Metals (AQMS) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
1,217 Followers

Top Page

AQ

Aqua Metals

(NASDAQ:AQMS)

49Neutral
Aqua Metals faces significant financial challenges with negative profitability and cash flow issues. Despite technological progress and strategic partnerships in lithium recycling, the company's financial instability and speculative valuation weigh heavily on its overall score. While there is cautious optimism about future growth, significant risks remain.

Aqua Metals (AQMS) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Aqua Metals Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAqua Metals, Inc. (AQMS) is a company operating in the recycling and materials sector, primarily focusing on providing sustainable metal recycling solutions. The company is known for its proprietary AquaRefining technology, which offers an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to recycling lead and other metals. Aqua Metals aims to revolutionize the recycling industry by reducing environmental impact and enhancing efficiency in metal recovery processes.
How the Company Makes MoneyAqua Metals generates revenue mainly through the licensing of its AquaRefining technology, which it offers to other companies in the recycling and materials industry. By licensing its technology, Aqua Metals allows other firms to utilize its environmentally friendly processes, thereby earning royalties or licensing fees. Additionally, the company may generate revenue from partnerships and collaborations with other businesses that are looking to adopt sustainable practices in metal recycling. These strategic partnerships can also lead to joint ventures or similar arrangements, contributing to its earnings. Furthermore, Aqua Metals can earn from the sale of equipment and technology solutions related to its AquaRefining process, as companies invest in the necessary infrastructure to implement the technology.

Aqua Metals Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Aqua Metals is under financial stress with negative profitability and significant cash flow challenges. Despite a manageable debt-to-equity ratio, the company faces liquidity risks due to declining equity and assets. Operational inefficiencies and volatile revenue growth further strain financial stability.
Income Statement
35
Negative
Aqua Metals shows consistent revenue but struggles with profitability. The TTM gross profit margin is significantly negative at -33920.83%, and the net profit margin is -113075.00%, indicating high operational costs relative to revenue. Revenue growth is volatile with a negative trend, reflecting challenges in generating consistent sales. The EBIT and EBITDA margins further highlight substantial losses, pointing to operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The balance sheet shows moderate financial stability with a TTM debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, indicating manageable leverage. However, declining equity and total assets suggest potential liquidity concerns. The TTM equity ratio is 73.37%, which is strong, but the declining trend in stockholders' equity and total assets poses a risk.
Cash Flow
30
Negative
Aqua Metals faces substantial cash flow challenges, with negative operating and free cash flows in the TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.63, suggesting inefficiencies in converting earnings to cash. The free cash flow growth is negative, highlighting ongoing difficulties in generating sufficient cash after capital expenditures.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020Dec 2019
Income StatementTotal Revenue
24.00K25.00K4.00K173.00K108.00K4.87M
Gross Profit
-8.14M-6.26M-3.96M-6.84M-5.37M-19.93M
EBIT
-22.48M-24.46M-15.58M-17.46M-15.39M-40.79M
EBITDA
-25.41M-22.05M-14.24M-16.85M-21.68M-37.69M
Net Income Common Stockholders
-27.14M-23.94M-15.43M-18.19M-25.76M-44.80M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
20.89M16.52M7.08M8.14M6.53M7.58M
Total Assets
71.37M33.60M33.50M33.27M35.14M69.45M
Total Debt
13.22M3.23M6.48M718.00K1.19M10.11M
Net Debt
-7.67M-13.29M-601.00K-7.42M-5.34M2.54M
Total Liabilities
21.28M7.54M12.59M5.74M4.00M19.86M
Stockholders Equity
50.09M26.06M20.92M27.53M31.14M49.59M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-32.00M-13.08M-14.92M-9.96M-14.39M-38.25M
Operating Cash Flow
-17.05M-3.19M-10.15M-7.62M-11.03M-25.18M
Investing Cash Flow
-14.58M-9.81M-3.42M-2.23M6.63M-10.57M
Financing Cash Flow
8.98M22.45M12.51M11.45M3.35M22.43M

Aqua Metals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price1.79
Price Trends
50DMA
2.11
Negative
100DMA
2.25
Negative
200DMA
3.94
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.08
Positive
RSI
42.14
Neutral
STOCH
35.31
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AQMS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 1.79 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.05, below the 50-day MA of 2.11, and below the 200-day MA of 3.94, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.08 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 42.14 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 35.31 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for AQMS.

Aqua Metals Risk Analysis

Aqua Metals disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Aqua Metals 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

Aqua Metals Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
62
Neutral
$8.16B12.850.64%3.04%3.83%-15.83%
58
Neutral
$208.03M-169.61%0.60%-115.20%
49
Neutral
$12.77M-96.34%-100.00%-11.85%
49
Neutral
$520.99M-33.54%20.29%-106.22%
46
Neutral
$37.61M-4.27%237.87%44.00%
45
Neutral
$138.70M-17.27%-9.13%1.93%
43
Neutral
$1.58B-90.88%-29.45%-10.79%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AQMS
Aqua Metals
1.79
-8.01
-81.73%
FCEL
Fuelcell Energy
6.56
-25.24
-79.37%
KOPN
Kopin
1.34
-1.02
-43.22%
PLUG
Plug Power
1.67
-1.87
-52.82%
LQMT
Liquidmetal Technologies
0.04
-0.01
-20.00%
TSE:BLDP
Ballard Power Systems
1.74
-2.13
-55.04%

Aqua Metals Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 20, 2025 | % Change Since: -23.83% | Next Earnings Date: May 1, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Aqua Metals demonstrated significant progress in lithium recycling technology and strategic partnerships, positioning themselves as a leader in North American battery-grade lithium carbonate production. However, financial challenges such as a reverse stock split and a grant application setback indicate ongoing hurdles. The sentiment is cautiously optimistic as long-term financing and commercial partnerships are being pursued.
Highlights
Pilot Facility Achievements
The pilot facility consistently achieved 24-hour operational capacity, producing high-purity battery-grade lithium carbonate with over 99.5% purity. This is a critical validation of Aqua Metals' lithium AquaRefining process.
Strategic Financing Progress
Aqua Metals secured multiple term sheets for capital commitments, including a substantial capital commitment for the growth plans and a commercial supply agreement with a leading battery materials manufacturer.
Cost Efficiency and Environmental Benefits
AquaRefining technology is more capital and operating cost-efficient, eliminating waste streams and reducing environmental impacts through decarbonization. This positions Aqua Metals as a low-cost producer.
Positive Commercial Engagements
Aqua Metals has been engaging with OEMs and battery manufacturers, with positive feedback on the quality of recycled lithium carbonate. They are positioned as a leader in North American battery-grade lithium carbonate production.
Lowlights
Reverse Stock Split
A reverse stock split was implemented to meet NASDAQ listing requirements, suggesting challenges in maintaining stock price levels.
Grant Application Setback
Aqua Metals was not selected for the latest round of DOE grants, although they remain optimistic about future opportunities.
Financial Losses
The company reported a net loss of $5.2 million for the quarter, with a slight decrease in operational costs due to a reduction in force.
Company Guidance
During the Aqua Metals Q3 2024 earnings call, CEO Stephen Cotton outlined significant achievements and future goals, emphasizing the company's progress in lithium recycling. Key metrics included the pilot facility's consistent 24-hour operational capacity, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate with over 99.5% purity, and the aim to process 3,000 tonnes of black mass annually, with plans to scale up to 10,000 tonnes. Financially, CFO Judd Merrill noted a quarterly net loss of $5.2 million, with operational costs at $1.6 million, and highlighted a reverse stock split to meet NASDAQ requirements. The company is focused on securing both short-term and long-term financing, with multiple term sheets in place, and aims to commission its Sierra ARC facility within 2 to 3 quarters, contingent on funding.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.