Earnings Preview: Evergreen Solar's
Analysts, on average, expect Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ:ESLR) to report a loss of $0.10 on sales of $80 million on August 02, 2010.
For the full year, analysts expect the company to post a loss of $0.42. In the year-ago period, the company reported a loss of $0.10 on sales of $64 million.
In the previous quarter, the company reported a loss of $0.08, matching consensus estimates for a loss of $0.08.
Labels: Earnings, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar Stocks
Evergreen Solar sees price declines in second half
U.S. solar company Evergreen Solar Inc (ESLR) said on Wednesday it expects to see some pricing pressure in the second half of 2010, following forecast incentive cuts in Germany, the world's No. 1 solar market.
The government there is set to reduce most of the mandated prices paid for electricity from German solar arrays starting in July, with proposed cuts of 16 percent for rooftop panels.
Speaking on a conference call with investors, executives at Evergreen Solar also said the company's project to expand operations in China is on track.
SourceLabels: ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar Stocks, Solar Technology
Evergreen Solar says 1Q revenue was $78.5 million
Evergreen Solar Inc. said Monday that its first-quarter revenue was about $78.5 million, higher than analysts expected and 44 percent above its revenue a year earlier.
The company, which makes solar-power products using silicon wafers, did not forecast its profit.
In the same period a year earlier, the company lost $64.3 million, and analysts were expecting it to report an adjusted loss of 9 cents per share, or nearly $19 million, for the quarter that ended April 3.
Evergreen is scheduled to report first-quarter results May 4.
The company said it shipped enough products to generate about 35.4 megawatts of power, or about enough to power 35,000 homes.
The average selling price in the first quarter was about $2.20 per watt, about 4 percent less the previous quarter. Evergreen said its manufacturing costs were $2.05 per watt, flat with the fourth quarter.
Evergreen expects to produce 37 megawatts to 38 megawatts in the second quarter.
Its shares rose 6 cents to $1.18 in regular trading Monday and another 9 cents in extended trading after release of the revenue estimate.
Source: businessweek.com
Labels: Earnings, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar power, Solar Stocks
Energy Conversion Devices is Among the Companies Offering Investors the Best Value in the Electrical Components & Equipment Industry
Below are the top five companies in the Electrical Components & Equipment industry as measured by the price to book ratio. Often companies with the lowest ratio present the greatest value to investors.
Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ:ENER) has a price to book ratio of 0.5x based on a current price of $7.23 and a book value per share of $15.05.
DayStar Technologies (NASDAQ:DSTI) has a price to book ratio of 0.5x based on a current price of $0.33 and a book value per share of $0.68.
Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ:ESLR) has a price to book ratio of 0.6x based on a current price of $1.14 and a book value per share of $1.9.
Universal Security Instruments (AMEX:UUU) has a price to book ratio of 0.6x based on a current price of $6.67 and a book value per share of $10.76.
Deswell Industries (NASDAQ:DSWL) has a price to book ratio of 0.7x based on a current price of $5.27 and a book value per share of $7.63.
Source: MYsmartrend.com
Labels: DayStar Technologies, DSTI, ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, ESLR, Evergreen Solar
United States Renewable Energy Sector Is Falling Behind The Rest Of The World
As China and Europe implement policies to encourage clean energy market growth, US clean energy companies are focusing their efforts overseas - resulting in lost jobs and opportunities in the US. Analysts believe that unless the US government does more to encourage job and market growth in the clean energy sector, that the country will fall behind China and Europe in achieving a global leadership position in this growing market sector. See the following article from Money Morning for more on this.
If the United States doesn't take drastic measures to engineer new clean energy policies and investment initiatives, it will continue to take a back seat to China and Europe, which are driving the clean energy market toward a profitable future.
Both clean energy companies and a skilled workforce are heading overseas, where government policies are creating a more welcoming and promising market for clean energy products.
Take Massachusetts-based Evergreen Solar, Inc (Nasdaq: ESLR). In 2008, it used $58 million in government aid to open a new Massachusetts factory to build silicon wafers and cells and assemble solar panels. But in November 2009, it announced the assembly of solar panels would be moved to Wuhan, China, where solar panel manufacturing will cost far less than in the United States.
SourceLabels: ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar Energy, Solar Stocks, Solar Technology
Evergreen Solar Ships 31.9 Megawatts
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (ESLR), a manufacturer of String Ribbon™ solar power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer technology, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009.
Key accomplishments during the quarter were:
Shipped 31.9 MW from our Devens facility at an average selling price of $2.32 per watt;
Improved product gross margins to 11.9% from 7.1% for the third quarter of 2009;
Reduced total manufacturing cost to $2.05 per watt, down 8.5% from $2.24 per watt for the third quarter of 2009;
Reduced wafer manufacturing cost to approximately $0.69 per watt from $0.75 per watt in the third quarter of 2009;
Generated $16.9 million of cash from operations, up from $11.2 million in the third quarter.
“Over two years ago, we established a cost target for our Devens facility of about two dollars per watt. We are pleased to have effectively achieved this cost target during the fourth quarter,” stated Richard M. Feldt, Chairman, CEO and President. “Our proven track record of manufacturing excellence is even more critical as we will relentlessly pursue additional operational efficiencies, further reduce our silicon and other materials costs and make progress on our technology roadmap to further reduce our costs at Devens to about $1.50 per watt in 2011 as we transition panel assembly to China.”
“Our China expansion remains on track,” added Mr. Feldt. “We have a strong Chinese management team and we are hiring experienced engineers and other support staff needed for the initial 100 megawatt facility. Equipment has been ordered, and we should be in a good position to ship our first product by this summer.”
SourceLabels: Earnings, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar Stocks
First Solar Results
Even if First Solar Inc (FSLR) results were good, it seems that the market changed its mind this morning.
Pre-market moves for these Solar Stocks:
FSLR -8%
ESLR -10%
First Solar continued to shine among its struggling peers, as its second-quarter profit more than doubled on higher revenue and margins, while Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR) swung to a wider loss amid lower pricing. Following the news, First Solar shares 4.8% to $181.95 in after-hours trading as results topped analysts' estimates. Evergreen added 7.5% to $2.20.
We are now getting the "Selling the news" phenomenon, so watch the new support prices to reenter long.
Expect heavy gaps all across the Solar Stock Sector.
Labels: Earnings, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, First Solar Inc, FSLR, Solar Stocks
Solar Stocks performance versus TAN
With the upgrades given today, some Solar Stocks started to move, while others remained in the red. The TAN Solar ETF is still neutral for today, but let's compare the two biggest performers for today with the Solar Stock ETF Benchmark:
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENER) is still one of the worst performers counting from the bottom of the Bear Market since March, it's low PER and the fact that its Operating Income is positive for the 1st Quarter of 2009, means this could be one of the stocks to watch in the future. Just remember that it still is a laggard:
Very nice performance since the bottom, but still below the average when compared to TAN.
TAN is the ETF that represents the 'Stock Index' for the whole Solar Industry, and has already recovered all of the losses since December, but still has much to recover. This should be the perfect candidate if you want to diversify in the Solar Industry, but look to the long term!
Labels: ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, solar analysis, solar ETF, Solar Stocks, TAN
PMorgan Solar Picks (ENER, ESLR, FSLR, ASTI, SPWRA)
JPMorgan has decided to make some key solar ratings changes this morning. The firm is cautious on the valuation of some in the position of a declining market trend right now, but there are some key takeaways here that are up as well. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) and Evergreen Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: ESLR) are up, while shares of First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) are getting slapped on this call today.
Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight; no trade indications have been seen as this is a low-imapct change. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) was initiated with an Overweight; shares are trading up 4%. Evergreen Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: ESLR) was the surprise winner as it was upgraded to Overweight from Underweight; its shares are up 10% at almost $2.40 in pre-market trading. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA) was also upgraded, but only to “Neutral” from Underweight; no trade indications have been yet.
The standout in the group is unfortunately the leader of the whole solar sector. First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight. Shares are still seeing thin volume but are indicated down 2% at $152.00.
sourceLabels: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc., ASTI, ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, First Solar Inc, FSLR, Solar Ratings, Solar Stocks, SPWRA, SunPower Corp
Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Evergreen Solar
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ: ESLR), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Epicor Software (NASDAQ: EPIC), Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).
Evergreen Solar Misses Slightly
Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ: ESLR) reported financial results for the 4th quarter and full year 2008. The company recorded revenue of $44 million for the 4th quarter and $112 million for the year.
Net loss for the 4th quarter of 2008 was $52.1, or $0.32 per share, and includes charges of $23.1 million for the closure of the Marlboro pilot facility, $8.0 million for the write-off of certain research and development equipment and $9.7 million of facility start up costs for Devens and Midland.
SourceLabels: Earnings, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, News, solarstocks
Solar Stocks Earnings
Some solar companies are going to release earnings in the next weeks, so here is the list:
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) will announce its fourth-quarter and year-end 2008 earnings in a conference call on Thursday, January 29th at 1:30 p.m.
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) will report financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 27, 2008, after market close on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The Company will hold its quarterly and year end conference call to discuss these results at 4:30 p.m. EST
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ESLR) is on Thursday, February 5
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ENER) announces on Monday, February 9
Labels: Earnings, ENER, Energy Conversion Devices Inc, ESLR, Evergreen Solar, First Solar Inc, FSLR, solarstocks, SPWR, SunPower Corp
Evergreen Solar signs sales contracts worth $1B
Evergreen Solar (ESLR) closed yesterday with a 20% move up, after being revealed the latest contracts won by the solar company.
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Solar panel producer Evergreen Solar Inc. said Thursday it received two long-term sales contracts worth nearly $1 billion.
The company received a $750 million deal with Germany-based Ralos Vertriebs GmbH for panel deliveries starting this year through 2013 and another deal with an unspecified U.S.-based installer.
Evergreen Solar was one of the laggards, in the solar niche, but seems to be catching up nicely with this move.
ESLR is up 2.5% in the pre-market but expect some resistance in the $12 area.
Labels: ESLR, Evergreen Solar, Solar Contracts, solarstocks
