Ballard Power (TSX:BLDP) Joins Shopify (TSX:SHOP) as a Top-Performing TSX Stock in 2020

Ballard Power stock has been a top-performing TSX stock again in 2020. Will it beat Shopify stock’s performance going forward?

| More on:

In these difficult and uncertain times, wouldn’t you like to see what TSX stocks are working? Wouldn’t you like to see which industries are thriving and which TSX stocks are generating top returns?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) is a phenomenal success story. We all know this. Shopify’s stock price performance reflects this fact, along with its valuation. Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLDP)(NASDAQ:BLDP), however, is a very different story. Ballard Power is just gaining momentum and recognition. It is nowhere near as well known by investors or as well trusted.

Despite these differences, these stocks have one major thing in common: both Shopify stock and Ballard Power stock are top TSX stock performers in 2020.

Top TSX stock Shopify is changing the world of e-commerce

Up 137% in 2020, Shopify stock is a top-performing TSX stock. In fact, Shopify has been a top TSX stock for many years now. Its five-year return is an incredible 2,729%!

My favourite quote from Shopify’s recent earnings call was from CEO Tobias Lütke. He essentially said that this crisis is “pulling 2030 into 2020.” The rapid growth that was expected in the e-commerce industry by 2030 is happening today. This kind of accelerated growth in demand is huge for the industry.

These new demands in capacity and quality cannot be met with current 2020 e-commerce software and standards. This is where Shopify comes in. Its e-commerce offering and strategy is ahead of its time, thankfully. This has made it possible for Shopify to respond to the unprecedented coronavirus-related demand for everything e-commerce. This is driving higher adoption of e-commerce as well as a migration to Shopify’s platform.

And things just keep getting better for Shopify. With new partnerships with Facebook and most recently Walmart, Shopify is on fire, changing the world of e-commerce.

Expectations are high, and these high expectations are baked into Shopify stock. Ownership of this top TSX stock is also high, with many leading institutional investors owning sizable amounts. This leads us to question how much incremental demand exists.

Ballard Power stock: A top TSX stock with more upside, as it races toward fuel cell adoption and acceptance

Lesser known and less widely held, Ballard Power stock has also been a top-performing TSX stock in 2020. Up 100% so far this year, it is clear that Ballard Power is beginning to see momentum in its race to bring fuel cell powered vehicles to the market. Ballard’s five-year return is also impressive at 593%.

So, what makes Ballard Power stock attractive today? Well, for starters, Ballard’s valuation is lower than Shopify’s valuation, 29 times sales compared to Shopify at 60 times sales. The expectations that are baked into Ballard stock are not as high as those that are baked into Shopify stock. There’s still a lot of skepticism about the company and about its very industry, the fuel cell industry.

Ballard stock is also less widely held. It may soon see a demand surge, as investors clamour for a position in this top-performing TSX stock. Considering the progress that Ballard has made, this may be inevitable.

The path to fuel cell commercialization is becoming brighter. Ballard has made dramatic performance improvements as well as dramatic cost reductions. Consequently, fuel cell orders and deployments are rising significantly in key geographies. There are currently 18,000 fuel cell passenger cars in operation, supported by approximately 400 hydrogen fueling stations. And Ballard Power is capturing a significant share of this market.

Foolish bottom line

Shopify stock and Ballard Power stock are both top-performing TSX stocks in 2020. For different reasons, these companies are transforming their respective industries at an accelerating pace. At this point, Ballard Power stock is closer to the beginning of its rise to success. I believe it has more upside from this point.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Fool contributor Karen Thomas owns shares of BALLARD POWER. David Gardner owns shares of Facebook. Tom Gardner owns shares of Facebook and Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Facebook, Shopify, and Shopify.

More on Tech Stocks

A person builds a rock tower on a beach.
Tech Stocks

2 Canadian Growth Stocks I Expect to Skyrocket in the Next Year

Given their solid financial results and healthy growth prospects, these two growth stocks could deliver superior returns in the coming…

Read more »

stock chart
Tech Stocks

3 TSX Stocks I’d Snap Up on Any Dip Right Now

Dips can create better entry points in solid businesses, especially in aerospace, autos, and building materials.

Read more »

senior couple looks at investing statements
Dividend Stocks

Are You Using Your TFSA the Right Way? Many Canadians Aren’t

Explore effective investment strategies in your TFSA to enhance returns instead of using it simply as a savings account.

Read more »

man looks surprised at investment growth
Tech Stocks

2 Canadian Stocks That Could Surprise Investors in 2026

These two TSX stocks have momentum and catalysts that could still drive upside surprises in 2026.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Tech Stocks

What Canadians Need to Know About Holding U.S. Stocks in a TFSA

Holding U.S. stocks in a TFSA can trigger withholding taxes on dividends. Here’s what Canadian investors need to know before…

Read more »

truck transport on highway
Tech Stocks

How Much Canadians Typically Have in a TFSA by Age 50 

Discover how Canadians are using their TFSA to build significant savings. Explore key statistics and strategies for success.

Read more »

Data Center Engineer Using Laptop Computer crypto mining
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian Stocks That Still Look Cheap After the Market Rally

After a rally, “cheap” can mean misunderstood – and these two TSX names are being priced on very different worries.

Read more »

A child pretends to blast off into space.
Tech Stocks

1 Stock I Plan to Load Up on in 2026

This TSX stock is likely to benefit from sustained spending on space-based surveillance, intelligence, and communications systems.

Read more »