MetaCap

Ballard Power Systems (BLDP) vs Mesa Laboratories (MLAB)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Mesa Laboratories (MLAB) has outperformed Ballard Power Systems (BLDP) over the past year, gaining 90.6% versus a loss of 44.9%. Over five years, MLAB leads with a -58.0% price change compared with -87.3% for BLDP. Mesa Laboratories is the larger company by market cap ($727.2 million vs $702.2 million), about 1.0 times the size.

Mesa Laboratories pays a dividend yielding 0.49%, while Ballard Power Systems does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

BLDP-44.90%MLAB+90.56%
+116%+31%-53%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
BLDP-85.37%MLAB-57.79%
+40%-29%-98%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

BLDP versus MLAB key metrics
MetricBLDPMLAB
Share price$2.00$129.96
Market cap$702.18M$727.24M
1-day change-2.91%-4.48%
YTD return-21.26%+65.55%
1-year return-44.90%+90.56%
5-year return-87.32%-58.04%
P/E ratio (TTM)—160.44
Forward P/E—12.65
EPS (TTM)$-0.26$0.81
Dividend yield0.00%0.49%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.64
52-week high$6.57$144.35
52-week low$1.92$66.56
Distance from 52-week high-69.56%-9.97%
Analyst consensusholdbuy
Avg. price target upside+82.50%-3.82%
Average volume3.93M147.22K
Shares outstanding351.09M5.60M
Employees492717
SectorIndustrialsTechnology
IndustryElectrical Equipment & PartsScientific & Technical Instruments

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • MLAB has outperformed BLDP by 135.5 percentage points over the past year.
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Ballard Power Systems in Industrials and Mesa Laboratories in Technology.

About Ballard Power Systems

BLDP stock →

Ballard Power Systems Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, sale, and service of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products.

Industrials · Electrical Equipment & Parts · 492 employees

About Mesa Laboratories

MLAB stock →

Mesa Laboratories, Inc. develops, designs, manufactures, sells, and services life sciences tools and quality control products and services in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally.

Technology · Scientific & Technical Instruments · 717 employees

BLDP vs MLAB FAQ

Which is bigger, Ballard Power Systems or Mesa Laboratories?

Mesa Laboratories (MLAB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $727.24M compared with $702.18M for Ballard Power Systems (BLDP).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, BLDP or MLAB?

MLAB returned +90.56% over the past 12 months, compared with -44.90% for BLDP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Ballard Power Systems or Mesa Laboratories?

Mesa Laboratories pays a dividend yielding 0.49%, while Ballard Power Systems does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Ballard Power Systems and Mesa Laboratories in the same industry?

No. Ballard Power Systems is in the Industrials sector, while Mesa Laboratories is in Technology.

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