Chief Investment Strategist
Summary: Since our big research note on green stocks, where we called them the next megatrend in equities, the theme has been bid up by investors. Despite elevated valuations, we remain positive on the long-term prospects for green stocks and believe every long-term investor should have exposure to this theme. Political capital will only increase over time and this will stimulate the economy in the direction of a green future and away from high carbon intensity. Joe Biden's big clean energy plan underscores this trend, so in this research note we look at 28 stocks that can offer you exposure to clean energy.
One of the pillars of a Biden administration is climate policy. This has been neglected by the Trump administration, which pulled the US out of the 2016 Paris Agreement and rolled back many of the environmental laws (Recovery Act) from the Obama years. As part of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Biden has introduced a climate policy called Clean Energy Revolution, which will look to spend $1.7trn in federal money over the next 10 years on top of commitments from local states and the private sector. Part of the plan is to ensure the US achieves a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions no later than 2050. For utilities, the goal will be 2035.
In the case of a clean sweep by the Democrats it will mean big changes to some US sectors. The oil and gas industry will lose out and financials will most likely see it difficult to ease regulation. The corporate tax cut by Trump in 2017 would also likely be rolled back. The clear winners would be any company or industry that offers solutions to progress the US towards a 100% clean energy economy. That would mean a boost to electric vehicle manufacturers, solar, wind, waste management and recycling, water efficiency solutions, etc.
Back in early January we wrote the research note ‘Green stocks are the next mega trend in equities’, which, so far, has correctly assessed the positive sentiment in green stocks. The basket of stocks mentioned in that research note is up 44% in 2020 and up 230% since January 2015, easily outperforming the global equity market.
We remain long-term positive on the ‘green transition´ as the coming years will show that the Covid-19 crisis is insignificant relative to the long-term impact of climate change. Political capital will be mobilised and the carbon economy will be fought against like the tobacco industry. Oil and gas are still important and will play a crucial role to bridge society to a cleaner energy future and our view is that oil prices will likely rise significantly from current levels as excess inventories are brought down.
Investors with a long-term investment horizon should consider having exposure to clean energy stocks. In the table below, you can see 28 stocks, sorted by market capitalisation, from the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, comprising of a mix of clean energy producers and clean energy technology and equipment providers.
| Name | Industry | Market cap (USD, mn.) | Revenue (USD, mn.) | % YTD | % 5yr |
| Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Wind Energy Equipment | 29,506 | 15,560 | 38.7 | 159.6 |
| Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA | Wind Energy Equipment | 18,942 | 10,570 | 45.6 | 95.2 |
| Verbund AG | Power Generation | 18,344 | 4,173 | 0.2 | 264.2 |
| SolarEdge Technologies Inc | Solar Energy Equipment | 10,977 | 1,592 | 132.1 | 779.7 |
| Enphase Energy Inc | Solar Energy Equipment | 9,471 | 721 | 188.9 | 1418.9 |
| Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd | Solar Energy Equipment | 9,324 | 1,247 | 64.0 | 301.5 |
| Meridian Energy Ltd | Renewable Energy Generation | 7,991 | 2,360 | -1.2 | 208.2 |
| First Solar Inc | Solar Energy Equipment | 7,885 | 3,121 | 35.5 | 51.9 |
| Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd | Wind Energy Equipment | 6,422 | 5,484 | -18.1 | -19.2 |
| Sunrun Inc | Development & Construction | 5,704 | 852 | 248.6 | 348.6 |
| Plug Power Inc | Fuel Cells & Industrial Batteries | 5,071 | 257 | 332.0 | 523.3 |
| Neoen SA | Renewable Energy Generation | 4,333 | 283 | 36.2 | N/A |
| Ormat Technologies Inc | Renewable Energy Generation | 3,145 | 730 | -16.9 | 76.9 |
| Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC | Operations & Maintenance | 3,075 | 972 | 18.4 | 90.5 |
| Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais | Electricity Networks | 3,043 | 5,551 | -37.9 | 7.9 |
| Cia Paranaense de Energia | Electricity Networks | 2,971 | 3,969 | -34.7 | 53.5 |
| Contact Energy Ltd | Power Generation | 2,966 | 1,317 | -8.9 | 64.6 |
| Innergex Renewable Energy Inc | Renewable Energy Generation | 2,962 | 424 | 35.8 | 163.7 |
| Scatec Solar ASA | Development & Construction | 2,552 | 260 | 35.9 | 306.9 |
| Boralex Inc | Renewable Energy Generation | 2,413 | 447 | 36.7 | 185.9 |
| Encavis AG | Renewable Energy Generation | 2,290 | 311 | 52.0 | 102.7 |
| Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente SA | Renewable Energy Generation | 2,239 | 41 | 122.6 | 1772.5 |
| SunPower Corp | Solar Energy Equipment | 2,026 | 1,882 | 52.7 | -51.2 |
| Falck Renewables SpA | Renewable Energy Generation | 1,869 | 425 | 15.7 | 435.4 |
| Canadian Solar Inc | Solar Energy Equipment | 1,570 | 3,201 | 20.3 | 31.6 |
| Renewable Energy Group Inc | Biofuels | 1,480 | 2,623 | 39.8 | 312.1 |
| JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd | Solar Energy Equipment | 1,003 | 4,654 | 0.4 | 5.4 |
| GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd | Solar Energy Equipment | 927 | 2,787 | 15.3 | -77.5 |
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