Ballard Power Systems Inc.  (BLDP Quick QuoteBLDP - Free Report) announced that it has entered into a definitive equipment supply agreement with Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor in Guangdong Province, China. Per this approximately $11-million deal, Ballard Power will supply and deliver 200 FCveloCity fuel cell engines to Broad-Ocean. These fuel engines will be used to demonstrate clean energy buses and commercial vehicles in major Chinese cities. 

 

The company will manufacture and supply these engines from its operations in British Columbia. The shipments are expected to be completed by the end of 2017. 

 

 

In Feb 2017, Ballard Power signed a definitive strategic agreement with Broad-Ocean related to technology transfer, licensing and supply arrangements. The $25-million deal includes assembly and sale of FCveloCity 30-kilowatt (kW) and 85kW fuel cell engines in China.

 

In Sep 2016, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), wherein Ballard Power will manufacture fuel cell modules for use in buses and commercial vehicles in select cities and regions across China. (Read More: Ballard Power Fortifies Hold in China with Broad-Ocean Deal)

 

In Aug 2016, Broad-Ocean went on to become the largest shareholder of Ballard Power with an investment of $28.3 million in 9.9% of the latter’s common shares. 

 

 

China is tightening its grip on air pollution and working toward its goal of “making the skies blue again”. In doing so, the Chinese government has passed an intense air pollution monitoring program in 28 cities involving about 5,600 government officials. 

 

As China continues to focus on curbing air pollution, Ballard Power’s multiple deals with leading Chinese companies have put it in an advantageous position. These deals are likely to support the company strategies in the country.

 

In Jan 2017, Ballard Power entered into an initial Equipment Sales Agreement with a major Chinese manufacturer of battery electric buses, Zhuhai Yinlong Energy Group. Per the agreement, the company will deliver 10 FCveloCity-MD 30-kilowatt fuel cell engines in 2017 for integration into Yinlong buses that will be deployed in Beijing. All these deals are expected to boost the performance of the company.

 

 

Ballard Power has secured committed orders worth $87 million for delivery in 2017 plus some significant pipeline of qualified commercial sales opportunities. The company expects growth in Power Products in 2017, backed by increased activity in Heavy Duty Motive and growth in Portable Power. China is expected to play a key role in the prospects of the company.

 

 

In the last three months, shares of Ballard Power gained 48.4%, heavily outperforming the Zacks categorized Electronics - Miscellaneous Components industry’s gain of 8.5%.

 

 

China is expected to lay more emphasis on emission control in the near future. Ballard Power’s increasing presence in the country was reflected well in its share price performance in the last three months.

 

 

Ballard Power carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 

 

Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are AU Optronics Corp , ZAGG Inc and Stoneridge, Inc. (SRI Quick QuoteSRI - Free Report) . Each of these stocks sports  a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 

AU Optronics Corp’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 escalated 60.27% to $1.17 per unit in the last 60 days.

 

ZAGG Inc’s 2017 Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up nearly 60.37% to 85 cents per unit in the last 60 days.

 

Stoneridge, Inc.’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for the full year moved up nearly 8.10% to $1.60 per unit in the last 60 days.

 

 

While we are happy to share many articles like this on the website, our best recommendations and most in-depth research are not available to the public.

 

Starting today, for the next month, you can follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time. Our experts cover all kinds of trades… from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from stocks that corporate insiders are buying up to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises. You can even look inside exclusive portfolios that are normally closed to new investors.