Best Hydrogen Stocks To Watch or Invest In Right Now

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Hydrogen stocks sit at the intersection of clean energy, infrastructure and long-term decarbonization goals. While the sector remains volatile, hydrogen continues to attract interest from governments and industrial players as a potential solution for hard-to-electrify industries like shipping, heavy manufacturing and energy storage.

For investors willing to accept higher risk in exchange for long-term upside, select hydrogen stocks may offer exposure to a market that’s still in its early development phase.

Hydrogen Stocks — At a Glance

Company	Ticker	Hydrogen Exposure	Risk Profile	Why It Stands Out
Plug Power	PLUG	Green hydrogen, fuel cells	High	One of the largest pure-play hydrogen companies
Air Products and Chemicals	APD	Hydrogen production, infrastructure	Moderate	Industrial-scale hydrogen projects with stable cash flow
Bloom Energy	BE	Fuel cells, on-site power	High	Commercial fuel cell deployments with hydrogen optionality
Linde	LIN	Hydrogen supply and transport	Lower	Global leader with diversified revenue streams
Ballard Power Systems	BLDP	Fuel cells for heavy transport	High	Focused on buses, trucks and industrial mobility

Hydrogen exposure varies widely by company. Always confirm business mix and project pipelines before investing.

Why Hydrogen Matters in the Energy Transition

Hydrogen plays a distinct role in decarbonization because it can replace fossil fuels in sectors that are difficult to electrify, including heavy industry, shipping and long-haul transport.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hydrogen is expected to support emissions reductions across multiple sectors as production scales and costs fall.

Federal incentives have further accelerated investment in hydrogen production, storage and infrastructure through clean energy funding mechanisms.

Best Hydrogen Stocks to Consider

Plug Power (PLUG)

Plug Power remains one of the most direct ways to gain exposure to hydrogen production and fuel cell technology. The company focuses heavily on green hydrogen infrastructure, including electrolyzers and fueling networks. Its growth potential is tied closely to government incentives and large-scale adoption of hydrogen-powered logistics. Investors should expect volatility, but also strong sensitivity to hydrogen policy developments.

Air Products (APD)

Air Products is a global leader in industrial hydrogen production with decades of operating history. Its hydrogen projects are often tied to long-term contracts, offering more predictable cash flow than smaller hydrogen startups. This makes the stock appealing to investors seeking hydrogen exposure without relying solely on emerging technology. Its scale also positions it well as demand grows.

Linde (LIN)

Linde offers hydrogen exposure through its broader industrial gas portfolio. Hydrogen represents one piece of a diversified business that spans medical, industrial and clean energy markets. This diversification helps reduce downside risk compared with pure-play hydrogen companies. Linde benefits from hydrogen growth while maintaining steady earnings from established operations.

Bloom Energy (BE)

Bloom Energy specializes in fuel cell systems used for on-site power generation. While not strictly a hydrogen producer, its technology integrates hydrogen as a future fuel source. Demand for resilient and lower-emission power systems has supported interest in Bloom’s products. The stock is sensitive to capital spending cycles and policy incentives.

Cummins (CMI)

Cummins is best known for diesel engines, but it has expanded into hydrogen combustion and fuel cell technologies. This dual exposure allows the company to invest in hydrogen while maintaining profitability from legacy businesses. Cummins’ approach may appeal to investors who want hydrogen exposure with less reliance on early-stage commercialization. Its engineering expertise supports long-term optionality.

Hydrogen Stocks vs Other Clean Energy Investments

Hydrogen stocks differ from solar and wind investments because hydrogen supports energy storage, transportation and industrial processes rather than electricity generation alone. While renewables often benefit from more mature adoption, hydrogen remains earlier in its development cycle.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that hydrogen infrastructure expansion is still in its early stages compared to other clean energy technologies.

This early-stage status creates a higher risk, but also a larger potential upside if adoption accelerates.

Why Invest in Hydrogen Stocks?

Here’s why investors are paying close attention to hydrogen companies in 2025:

• Global Push for Clean Energy: Countries like the U.S., Japan and Germany are investing billions into hydrogen infrastructure.
• Diverse Use Cases: Hydrogen is used in transportation, steel production, shipping and power storage.
• Government Incentives: The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act includes hydrogen tax credits through 2032.
• Early Growth Stage: The hydrogen economy is still young, which means more room for growth — but also more volatility.

Risks to Know Before Investing in Hydrogen Stocks

Hydrogen remains costlier than traditional fuels in many applications. Production efficiency, infrastructure investment and regulatory support all influence long-term viability.

The Department of Energy highlights cost reduction and infrastructure deployment as key challenges facing hydrogen adoption.

Investors should expect volatility tied to policy announcements, project delays and capital market conditions.

Trends Shaping the Hydrogen Market

Several long-term forces continue to influence hydrogen-related companies and investor interest.

Government Support and IncentivesPublic-sector backing remains a major driver of hydrogen development. In the U.S., federal clean energy incentives support hydrogen production, infrastructure and research as part of broader decarbonization goals. The Department of Energy has outlined hydrogen as a key tool for reducing emissions in heavy industry and transportation, reinforcing long-term demand expectations.

Infrastructure BuildoutHydrogen adoption depends heavily on infrastructure, and investment in production hubs, storage facilities and fueling networks continues to expand. Large industrial players are focusing on integrated supply chains that connect production directly to end users, improving reliability and scalability over time.

Gradual Cost ReductionsAdvances in electrolyzers, renewable-powered hydrogen production and operational efficiency are slowly bringing down costs. While hydrogen is still more expensive than conventional fuels in many applications, ongoing technological improvements are narrowing the gap and improving commercial viability.

How to Buy Hydrogen Stocks

If you’re interested in adding hydrogen stocks to your portfolio, here’s a simple way to approach the process.

Step 1: Choose a Brokerage AccountOpen and fund a brokerage account that allows you to trade U.S.-listed stocks or ETFs.

Step 2: Research the Hydrogen LandscapeReview different types of hydrogen exposure, including fuel cell developers, industrial gas companies and diversified manufacturers. Decide whether you prefer individual stocks or a broader ETF approach.

Step 3: Identify the Ticker SymbolSearch for the company’s ticker symbol within your brokerage platform to access pricing and order options.

Step 4: Set Your Investment SizeDetermine how much capital you’re comfortable allocating based on your overall portfolio and risk tolerance.

Step 5: Place Your TradeChoose your order type, such as market or limit, and execute the trade.

Step 6: Monitor and ReassessTrack company performance, policy developments and broader energy trends, adjusting your position if your goals or market conditions change.

Final Take to GO: Are Hydrogen Stocks Worth Considering?

If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio with clean energy investments, the best hydrogen stocks offer high-risk, high-reward potential in a growing global market. From fuel cell innovators to industrial gas giants, there’s something for every investing style.

Hydrogen has a great deal of potential as a clean energy source, but some issues will need to be overcome for it to be viable for a wide range of uses. If history is any indication, this means that the companies that are betting their future on this technology could be in for some volatility.

Some will likely opt — or be escorted — out of the market, while others could enjoy significant profits, and so will their investors.

However, it doesn’t seem like the hydrogen revolution is imminent, so you should view hydrogen stocks as having a long runway, not as a short-term stock investment.

Information is accurate as of Jan. 13, 2026.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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