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Aqua Metals Inc (AQMS)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/22/2025: AQMS (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
1 Year Target Price $3
1 Year Target Price $3
1 | Strong Buy |
0 | Buy |
0 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -49.41% | Avg. Invested days 20 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 5.17M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1 | Beta 0.32 | 52 Weeks Range 0.47 - 7.92 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 0.47 - 7.92 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -3.81 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin - | Operating Margin (TTM) - |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -46.48% | Return on Equity (TTM) -167.48% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 7514974 | Price to Sales(TTM) 865.53 |
Enterprise Value 7514974 | Price to Sales(TTM) 865.53 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 899.77 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -2.21 | Shares Outstanding 9946100 | Shares Floating 7270008 |
Shares Outstanding 9946100 | Shares Floating 7270008 | ||
Percent Insiders 10.52 | Percent Institutions 12.39 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 1 | Target Price 3 | Buy - | Strong Buy 1 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 1 | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Aqua Metals Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
Aqua Metals Inc. was founded in 2014 and focuses on developing and commercializing AquaRefining, a clean and sustainable method for recycling lead-acid batteries.
Core Business Areas
- AquaRefining Technology: Developing and licensing its patented AquaRefining technology for lead-acid battery recycling, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional smelting.
- Equipment Sales: Selling AquaRefining equipment and related services to battery recyclers.
- Recycling Services: Providing lead-acid battery recycling services to lead acid batter producers and end users.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team consists of Mark Stevenson (CEO), and David Regan (CFO). The organizational structure is typical of a publicly traded technology company, with departments focused on R&D, operations, sales, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- AquaRefining Equipment: Aqua Metals sells or leases modular units that perform the electrochemical recycling process. Market share information is not readily available. Competitors include traditional lead smelters and other emerging recycling technologies. Revenue from this product is not explicitly broken out in their financial statements, but it is a primary revenue driver.
- Competitors: Traditional lead smelters and battery recycling facilities
- AquaRefining Services: Aqua Metals offers recycling services using its own AquaRefining technology. Market share information is not readily available. Revenue is generated based on material processed for customers. Their competitiors for this product is traditional lead smelters and battery recycling facilities
- Competitors: Traditional lead smelters and battery recycling facilities
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The lead-acid battery recycling industry is mature but facing increasing environmental scrutiny. Demand for sustainable recycling methods is growing due to regulations and increasing awareness of environmental impact.
Positioning
Aqua Metals is positioned as an innovator offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional lead smelting. Their competitive advantage lies in their AquaRefining technology.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global lead-acid battery recycling market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually. Aqua Metals is attempting to capture a portion of this market by offering a more sustainable alternative to smelting. While specific TAM data is difficult to pinpoint, it's a multi-billion dollar market annually.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Proprietary AquaRefining technology
- Environmentally friendly recycling process
- Potential for lower operating costs compared to smelting
Weaknesses
- High capital expenditure for initial setup
- Limited operational history
- Reliance on licensing and equipment sales
Opportunities
- Increasing demand for sustainable recycling solutions
- Stringent environmental regulations favoring cleaner technologies
- Partnerships with battery manufacturers and recyclers
Threats
- Competition from established lead smelters
- Fluctuations in lead prices
- Technological advancements in alternative battery chemistries
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Glencore (GLNCY)
- Korea Zinc
- Exide Technologies (Bankrupt/Delisted)
Competitive Landscape
Aqua Metals' advantages lie in its cleaner technology, while its disadvantages include its relatively small scale and limited operational history compared to established smelters. Scale is their biggest problem.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been characterized by technology development and initial commercial deployments. Growth has been slow.
Future Projections: Future growth depends on the successful commercialization and adoption of AquaRefining technology. Analyst estimates are not readily available without a financial data provider. Depends on market adoption.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include securing partnerships with battery manufacturers and recyclers, and expanding the deployment of AquaRefining facilities.
Summary
Aqua Metals is a company focused on developing clean lead-acid battery recycling technology. The company's AquaRefining technology offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional smelting. However, Aqua Metals faces challenges related to scaling its operations, competition from established players, and volatility in lead prices. Its future success depends on broader adoption of its technology and successful partnerships.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Website
- SEC Filings
- Industry Reports
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual research and consultation with a financial advisor.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Aqua Metals Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Reno, NV, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2015-07-31 | CEO, President & Director Mr. Stephen Cotton | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Waste Management | Full time employees 11 | Website https://www.aquametals.com |
Full time employees 11 | Website https://www.aquametals.com |
Aqua Metals, Inc. engages in reinventing metals recycling activities with its patented AquaRefining technology. The company's technology produces metals and alloys that can be returned into the battery manufacturing supply chain markets, as well as sells metals for use in various advanced manufacturing industries. Its AquaRefining, a low-emissions and recycling technology that replaces polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries. Aqua Metals, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada.
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