Two Green Energy Companies Moving In Opposite Directions

Consider the curious cases of American Superconductor Corp (Nasdaq:AMSC) and Headwaters (NYSE:HW). Although not in competition with each other, the stocks of these two greener energy players have done an interesting dance over the past 14 years, as their fortunes and futures have shifted. Where American Superconductor was once the speculative pie-in-the-sky play, it now has a growing wind power business, while Headwaters continues to struggle with its transition into a manufacturer of green building products. 

The Quarters In Hand
This recently-completed quarter provides a good example of the different fortunes of these two companies. Headwaters reported only 4% revenue growth, as good growth in the now-small energy tech business could not substantially offset sluggish performance in the construction/building product segments. Adjusted EBITDA was up 11%, while reported earnings were hurt by impairments related to the company's coal cleaning operations. 


On the flip side, AMSC reported revenue growth of 36%, as the company's wind power business nearly reached $100 million in quarterly revenue. Gross margin improved almost 200 basis points, and the company reported a small increase in backlog. The company's order book now has about $956 million in revenue - more than two years at the current run-rate.

Please click the link below for the full article:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Two-Green-Energy-Companies-Moving-In-Different-Directions-HW-AMSC-GE-EXP-VMC-CX1104.aspx