| Piper Jaffray
maintained an "outperform" rating and $12 target price on Hoku Scientific
(nasdaq: HOKU) saying it has a higher degree of confidence in the fuel-cell
company's commercialization strategy, and forecasts better revenue visibility
for calendar 2006.
"Hoku will continue to record substantial
revenue growth driven by accelerated technology development in preparation
for commercial markets," Piper analyst Jesse W. Pichel wrote in a recent
report.
Piper cited Hoku's recent contract
win from the U.S. Navy as a positive for the stock. The research firm said
Hoku's Navy project with IdaTech is on track, and that IdaTech is potentially
a leader in stationary fuel cells for telecommunications backup.
The research firm expects market-share
gains for Hoku's proprietary HC-based membranes, versus incumbent fluorinated
technology from 3M (nyse: MMM) and DuPont (nyse: DD).
In addition, Hoku is on track in
optimizing its membrane for automotive applications, according to Piper,
with a Nissan (nasdaq: NSANY - news - people ) Motors contract renewal
likely in 2006.
For fiscal 2006 and 2007, Piper estimates
earnings per share for Hoku of 12 cents and 25 cents, respectively.

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