Capstone Turbine Corp. pumped a few megawatts into its stock price last week with the announcement of two deals.
The Chatsworth microturbine manufacturer first announced an order May 28 from New York real estate developer Related Cos. for what’s called the largest private mixed-use project ever undertaken in the city.
The news charged up Capstone shares, which soared 20 percent for the week, making it the biggest gainer on the LABJ Stock Index. (See page 26.) Two days later, the company announced an order from the Southern California Gas Co., which sent shares up an additional 7 percent that day to close at $1.22.
Ajay Kejriwal, an analyst who follows Capstone at FBR Capital Markets & Co. in New York, said the Related deal was especially significant since Capstone has been making efforts to expand into the office market and the deal showed progress.
“The office market is very large and (Capstone) has been trying to become a major player,” he said. “This is kind of their first big order. Investors are seeing this as the beginning of more to come.”
Related’s real estate portfolio is valued at about $15 billion and the company intends to make its properties energy efficient. Related said it has more than $10 billion in “green” developments in progress or completed.
Capstone’s microturbines burn pressurized gas or liquid fuel to spin the drive shaft of an electric generator. They’re used as an alternative to the electrical grid.
Related said it will use Capstone’s microturbines at some of its current developments, including the Hudson Yards, a 360-acre mixed-use office and residential development called the largest of its kind, which the company is co-developing.
Terms of the Related deal were not disclosed.
Much of Capstone’s past orders have come from the oil and gas industries. But the company has faced challenges getting into the office market due to its high prices. Last year, a Capstone generating unit was selling for $1.4 million, compared with others on the market for $1.1. million.
“They’re making progress,” Kejriwal said of Capstone’s efforts to cut costs. “(But) for them to be doing a lot more in revenue they have to take costs down.”
