Shares of Siemens Energy took a nosedive on Thursday after the German wind power firm revealed it is seeking financial guarantees from the government to shore up its balance sheet. The company’s stock plunged over 32% amid concerns over ongoing problems at its wind turbine manufacturing subsidiary Siemens Gamesa.
This latest crisis of confidence in Siemens Energy comes after a tumultuous year where the company scrapped its profit forecasts due to major setbacks at Siemens Gamesa. Persistent quality control issues and production delays have plagued Siemens Gamesa, dragging down the parent company’s financial performance. Siemens Energy shocked investors earlier this year when it warned that these issues could persist for years.
Now Siemens Energy is looking to the German government for a lifeline to provide the guarantees it needs for long-term projects and growth ambitions. With its strong order intake and project pipeline, Siemens requires sizeable guarantees to move forward. It remains unclear exactly how much financing Siemens Energy is seeking from the government and what form this support may take. The company is holding preliminary talks with German officials, banks, and other stakeholders to find a solution.
For investors, this latest turmoil calls Siemens Energy’s financial health into question. While the company left its 2023 guidance unchanged, its stock has been battered this year. Shares are down nearly 60% year-to-date due to the cascading problems at Siemens Gamesa. The turbine troubles will continue to be a dark cloud over Siemens Energy until substantial progress is made on quality control and production. Siemens Gamesa’s issues with offshore wind ramp up also remain a glaring concern.
All of this uncertainty around Siemens Energy and its finances have sent investors rushing for the exits. But for bargain hunters, the plummeting stock could also look like a tempting buying opportunity. Siemens Energy maintains a strong long-term outlook in the booming renewable energy market. Demand for wind power is surging, especially in Europe, as countries move aggressively toward carbon neutrality. Siemens Energy still boasts an enviable portfolio of technology and intellectual property in the industry.
If Siemens Energy can weather its current storms, its future prospects in offshore and onshore wind power remain bright. But the company must fix its turbine troubles and strengthen its balance sheet to fully capture the potential ahead. For conservative investors, it may be best to wait on the sidelines until more clarity emerges. But for speculators willing to stomach volatility and risk, Siemens Energy’s swooning shares could offer a high-risk, high-reward proposition.
Much depends on whether the German government views Siemens Energy as simply too big and important to fail. Germany is staking much of its economic future on renewable energy leadership. Having a national industrial champion falter so badly would be an embarrassment and setback. Siemens Energy is essentially making the case that it’s too strategically vital for Germany’s interests to be allowed to flounder.
Yet the German government also has to be wary of setting a precedent of bailing out struggling companies at taxpayer expense. Germany may be willing to extend credit guarantees to Siemens Energy, but direct financial aid seems unlikely. The coming months will be crucial in determining if Siemens Energy can right itself and deliver on its clean energy ambitions. For investors, the ride may continue to be bumpy until the company can prove it has turned a corner.