Hayward (HAYW) vs Plug Power (PLUG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Hayward (HAYW) has outperformed Plug Power (PLUG) over the past year, losing 23.6% versus a loss of 54.0%. Over five years, HAYW leads with a -48.4% price change compared with -94.3% for PLUG. Hayward is the larger company by market cap ($2.50 billion vs $2.49 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | HAYW | PLUG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.80 | $1.78 |
| Market cap | $2.50B | $2.49B |
| 1-day change | -4.14% | -4.30% |
| YTD return | -23.62% | -9.64% |
| 1-year return | -23.62% | -54.01% |
| 5-year return | -48.43% | -94.30% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.16 | — |
| Forward P/E | 12.12 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.73 | $-1.26 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $17.73 | $4.33 |
| 52-week low | $11.75 | $1.70 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.45% | -58.89% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +51.95% | +98.88% |
| Average volume | 2.98M | 52.93M |
| Shares outstanding | 212.12M | 1.40B |
| Employees | 1,960 | 2,344 |
| Sector | Industrials | Energy |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- HAYW has outperformed PLUG by 30.4 percentage points over the past year.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Hayward in Industrials and Plug Power in Energy.
About Hayward
HAYW stock →Hayward Holdings, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of pool equipment and associated automation systems in North America, Europe, and internationally.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,960 employees
About Plug Power
PLUG stock →Plug Power Inc. designs, develops, and sells hydrogen products and solutions in Europe, Australia, North America, and internationally.
Energy · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,344 employees
HAYW vs PLUG FAQ
Which is bigger, Hayward or Plug Power?
Hayward (HAYW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.50B compared with $2.49B for Plug Power (PLUG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HAYW or PLUG?
HAYW returned -23.62% over the past 12 months, compared with -54.01% for PLUG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Hayward and Plug Power in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.