First Solar's Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y

First Solar, Inc. FSLR reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings of $3.65 per share, which were up 12.3% from the prior-year quarter’s figure of $3.25. However, the bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.64 per share by 21.3%.Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.The year-over-year improvement in the bottom line can be attributed to solid sales and gross profit growth from the prior-year quarter.The company reported 2024 earnings of $12.02 per share, which were much higher than the year-ago figure of $7.74. However, the full-year bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13 per share.FSLR’s Sales UpdateFirst Solar’s fourth-quarter net sales were $1.51 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 billion by 3%. The top line also improved 30.7% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.16 billion.The year-over-year top-line improvement was driven by an increase in the volume of module sales.The company reported net sales of $4.21 billion in 2024, which were higher than $3.32 billion in 2023. The full-year top line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.16 billion.First Solar, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise First Solar, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | First Solar, Inc. QuoteOperational Highlights of FSLRIn the fourth quarter, the company’s gross profit was $567.7 million, which improved a solid 13.1% from $502 million in the year-ago quarter.Total operating expenses inched up 0.1% year over year to $110.9 million.FSLR reported an operating income of $456.8 million compared with $397.8 million in the year-ago quarter.Financial Performance of First SolarFirst Solar had $1.62 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of Dec. 31, 2024, down from $1.95 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023.The long-term debt totaled $373.4 million as of the same date compared with $464.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2023.The net cash flow from operating activities amounted to $1.22 billion during 2024 compared with $0.60 billion at the end of 2023.First Solar’s 2025 GuidanceFirst Solar introduced its 2025 guidance.FSLR expects to generate earnings in the range of $17.00-$20.00 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $20.37 per share, higher than the company’s guided range.FSLR expects its sales guidance to be in the range of $5.30-$5.80 billion. The consensus estimate for sales is pegged at $5.46 billion, which lies below the midpoint of the company’s guided range.First Solar expects gross profit to be in the band of $2.45-$2.75 billion. Its operating income is anticipated to be in the $1.95-$2.30 billion range.The company currently expects module shipments to be in the band of 18-20 gigawatts. First Solar expects its 2025 capital expenditure to be in the range of $1.30-$1.50 billion.FSLR’s Zacks RankFirst Solar currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent Solar ReleasesEnphase Energy, Inc. ENPH reported fourth-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings of 94 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents per share by 25.3%. The company’s revenues of $382.7 million beat the consensus estimate of $376 million by 1.8%.SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. SEDG reported a fourth-quarter 2024 adjusted loss of $3.52 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line also deteriorated from the prior-year quarter’s loss of 92 cents per share. The company’s revenues of $196.2 million surpassed the consensus estimate by 5.3%.An Upcoming Solar ReleaseSunnova Energy International NOVA is set to report fourth-quarter 2024 results on March 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOVA’s earnings is pegged at a loss of 81 cents per share.The consensus estimate for sales is pegged at $234.5 million, which indicates year-over-year growth of 20.8%. The stock boasts a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 2.40%.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR): Free Stock Analysis Report Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH): Free Stock Analysis Report SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (SEDG): Free Stock Analysis Report Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NOVA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks