Polestar Looks Considerably Cheaper Than Rivals Lucid and Rivian

Many U.S. and Canadian risk-tolerant investors who want exposure to start-up, non-China-based manufacturers of electric vehicles (EV) have gravitated to two well-known companies: Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) and Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN). Another, actually more established EV maker, Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (NASDAQ: PSNY), may represent better value than either company.

Based in Sweden, Polestar currently has produced three premium EV models: Polestar 1, a hybrid, high-performance car; Polestar 2, a high-volume, fully electric vehicle (US$50,000-US$70,000 price); and Polestar 3, an electric SUV which debuted in October 2022 (US$80,000-US$120,000 price). Polestar was founded by Volvo and Geely, a Chinese automaker. Importantly, Polestar has contract manufacturing and supply and service agreements with its founding companies. In particular, one pact allows Polestar to utilize Volvo Cars’ existing distribution process in the United States. 

In September 2021, Polestar and the SPAC sponsor Gores Guggenheim, Inc. entered into a definitive business combination. The merger was completed in June 2022, at which time Polestar began trading under the symbol PSNY on the NASDAQ.

The table below itemizes some of the key financial and operating characteristics of Polestar, Lucid and Rivian.

SELECTED FINANCIAL OPERATING AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS OF LEADING EV MAKERS

The three EV makers have roughly similar enterprise values ranging from US$15.8 billion for Rivian to US$17.0 billion for Polestar, yet Polestar’s current profitability and cash flow profile is far superior to both Lucid and Rivian. Specifically, Polestar has generated a gross profit (revenue less cost of sales) of positive US$57 million over the first nine months of 2022; while Lucid and Rivian have posted gross profits of negative US$680 million and negative US$2.1 billion, respectively, over the same period.

Similarly, Polestar has burned considerably less cash so far in 2022 than either Lucid or Rivian. Polestar’s operating cash flow deficit over the first nine months of 2022 is around US$1.0 billion versus US$1.6 billion for Lucid and US$3.6 billion for Rivian.

Given that all three companies currently generate negative cash flow, one cannot compare the stocks’ cash flow multiples. In terms of enterprise value to revenue over the first three quarters of 2022, Polestar’s valuation (11.5x) is noticeably cheaper than Rivian (15.9x), and markedly less expensive than Lucid (45.4x).  

Operationally, Polestar has delivered to customers about twice as many vehicles over the first three quarters of 2022 (30,424) than Lucid and Rivian combined (2,437 for Lucid and 12,278 for Rivian).

One area where Rivian has an advantage over Polestar is the strength of its balance sheet. Its US$13.3 billion cash balance as of September 30, 2022 suggests it may not need to tap the capital markets for several quarters.  Polestar (US$1.0 billion of cash as of the same date) could be forced to sell equity fairly soon, and Lucid (US$3.3 billion as of September 30, 2022) may already be selling new stock via a previously announced at-the-market issuance program. 

In summary, Polestar may not necessarily be a cheap stock on an absolute basis. It faces many challenges, including the potential impact of an economic downturn. However, on many key measures, it looks like a cheaper EV investment than Lucid or Rivian.

Information for this briefing was found via Edgar and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

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