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SPRU vs SHLS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Solar
SPRU vs SHLS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Solar | Solar |
| Market Cap | $63M | $1.32B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $108M | $536M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-25M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 61.3% | 33.5% |
| Operating Margin | 8.5% | 11.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | 19.4x |
| Total Debt | $711M | $175M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $73M | $7M |
SPRU vs SHLS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jan 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spruce Power Holdin… (SPRU) | 100 | 2.3 | -97.7% |
| Shoals Technologies… (SHLS) | 100 | 23.1 | -76.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SPRU vs SHLS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SPRU is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.33
- Lower volatility, beta 0.33, current ratio 2.29x
- Beta 0.33, current ratio 2.29x
SHLS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 19.1%, EPS growth 42.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.3%
- -74.7% 10Y total return vs SPRU's -95.6%
- 19.1% revenue growth vs SPRU's 2.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.1% revenue growth vs SPRU's 2.8% | |
| Quality / Margins | 6.3% margin vs SPRU's -23.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.33 vs SHLS's 2.08 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +97.7% vs SHLS's +66.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.7% ROA vs SPRU's -2.9%, ROIC 5.9% vs -5.1% |
SPRU vs SHLS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SPRU vs SHLS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHLS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHLS is the larger business by revenue, generating $536M annually — 5.0x SPRU's $108M. SHLS is the more profitable business, keeping 6.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SPRU's -23.2%. On growth, SHLS holds the edge at +74.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $108M | $536M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $36M | $73M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$25M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$25M | -$77M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +61.3% | +33.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.5% | +11.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -23.2% | +6.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -23.4% | -14.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +43.7% | +74.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +98.3% | — |
Valuation Metrics
SPRU leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $63M | $1.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $701M | $1.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.91x | 39.20x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 19.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 22.83x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.77x | 2.77x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.44x | 2.20x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
SHLS leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHLS delivers a 5.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $-20 for SPRU. SHLS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.29x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SPRU's 4.87x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SHLS scores 5/9 vs SPRU's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -19.7% | +5.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.9% | +3.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -5.1% | +5.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -6.1% | +7.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.87x | 0.29x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $638M | $168M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $73M | $7M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $711M | $175M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.52x | 5.91x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — SPRU and SHLS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SHLS five years ago would be worth $2,724 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $704 for SPRU. Over the past 12 months, SPRU leads with a +97.7% total return vs SHLS's +66.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SPRU at -13.7% vs SHLS's -26.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -34.3% | -13.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +97.7% | +66.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.7% | -60.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.0% | -72.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.6% | -74.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -13.7% | -26.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SPRU and SHLS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SPRU is the less volatile stock with a 0.33 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHLS's 2.08 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SHLS currently trades 69.0% from its 52-week high vs SPRU's 51.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.33x | 2.08x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $6.75 | $11.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.13 | $3.81 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.6% | +69.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.9 | 63.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 44K | 5.1M |
Analyst Outlook
SHLS leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $9.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 23 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.3% | +0.0% |
SHLS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SPRU leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
SPRU vs SHLS: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SPRU or SHLS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is the stronger pick with 19. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 8% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation (SPRU). Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) offers the better valuation at 39. 2x trailing P/E (19. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) a "Buy" — based on 23 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — SPRU or SHLS?
Over the past 5 years, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) delivered a total return of -72. 8%, compared to -93. 0% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation (SPRU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHLS returned -74. 7% versus SPRU's -95. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — SPRU or SHLS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Spruce Power Holding Corporation (SPRU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
33β versus Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. 's 2. 08β — meaning SHLS is approximately 535% more volatile than SPRU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 5% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — SPRU or SHLS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is pulling ahead at 19. 1% versus 2. 8% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation (SPRU). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. grew EPS 42. 9% year-over-year, compared to -6. 7% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, SPRU leads at 73. 9% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — SPRU or SHLS?
Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.
(SHLS) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 1% net margin versus -85. 9% for Spruce Power Holding Corporation — meaning it keeps 7. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SHLS leads at 11. 9% versus -61. 4% for SPRU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SPRU leads at 51. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — SPRU or SHLS?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is SPRU or SHLS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Spruce Power Holding Corporation (SPRU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
33)). Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS) carries a higher beta of 2. 08 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SPRU: -95. 6%, SHLS: -74. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between SPRU and SHLS?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: SPRU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SHLS is a small-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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