First Solar, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results
Net sales of $957 millionGAAP EPS of $1.27 per fully diluted share including charges of $0.39 per shareRaises 2012 EPS guidance to $4.20 to $4.70 per share
TEMPE, Ariz., Aug 01, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Solar, Inc. FSLR +12.23% today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2012. Net sales were $957 million in the quarter, an increase of $460 million from the first quarter of 2012 and $425 million from the second quarter of 2011. The increases were primarily due to an increase in the number and size of projects under construction meeting revenue recognition criteria during the quarter, including Antelope Valley Solar Ranch 1 in California and Silver State North in Nevada.
The Company reported second quarter net income of $1.27 per fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.20 per fully diluted share in the first quarter of 2012 and net income of $0.70 per fully diluted share in the second quarter of 2011. The second quarter of 2012 was impacted by pre-tax charges of $36 million (reducing EPS by $0.39), relating to restructuring and certain costs in excess of normal warranty.
Cash and Marketable Securities at the end of the second quarter were $744 million, down from $750 million at the end of the first quarter of 2012.
Based on reductions in First Solar's ongoing cost structure primarily related to our restructuring initiatives, the Company is increasing 2012 guidance as ***ows:
-- Net Sales of $3.6 - $3.9 billion, compared to prior guidance of $3.5 - $3.8 billion.
-- Earnings per fully diluted share to $4.20-$4.70, compared to prior guidance of $4.00-$4.50, in each case excluding restructuring and impairment charges, and certain costs in excess of normal warranty expense.
"Despite market uncertainties, First Solar delivered strong performance in the quarter," said Jim Hughes, CEO. "Looking forward, we are confident we have the right long-term strategy and the right platform to enable long-term growth and value creation. We believe that by executing our strategic roadmaps and completing our restructuring program we can achieve our targets of 2.6 to 3.0 GW of sales in sustainable markets, earning a return on invested capital of 13 to 17 percent by 2016."
For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to measures presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"), see the tables below.
First Solar has scheduled a conference call today, August 1, 2012 at 4 30 p.m. EDT to discuss this announcement. Investors may access a live webcast of this conference call by visiting
First Solar, Inc. - Financial Events .
An audio replay of the conference call will also be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The audio replay will remain available until Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at midnight EDT and can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 if you are calling from within the United States or +1-719-457-0820 if you are calling from outside the United States and entering the replay pass code 606422. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investors section of the company's web site approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately 90 calendar days.
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use its advanced thin-film modules. The company's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module collection and recycling, First Solar's renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit
Vertically Integrated Utility-Scale PV Power Solutions Provider | First Solar .
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the company's business involving the company's products, their development and distribution, economic and competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.
FIRST SOLAR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS June 30, December 31,
2012 2011
------------------ --------------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 630,240 $ 605,619
Marketable securities 113,453 66,146
Accounts receivable trade, net 143,670 310,568
Accounts receivable, unbilled 436,170 533,399
Inventories 580,737 475,867
Balance of systems parts 152,658 53,784
Deferred project costs 189,721 197,702
Deferred tax assets, net 31,386 41,144
Assets held for sale 49,521 --
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 136,868 329,032
------------------ ------------------
Total current assets 2,464,424 2,613,261
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,567,367 1,815,958
Project assets 160,239 374,881
Deferred project costs 259,996 122,688
Note receivable, affiliate 21,373 --
Deferred tax assets, net 341,012 340,274
Marketable securities -- 116,192
Restricted cash and investments 267,411 200,550
Goodwill 65,444 65,444
Inventories 137,939 60,751
Other assets 202,129 67,615
------------------ ------------------
Total assets $ 5,487,334 $ 5,777,614
======= ========= ======= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 194,554 $ 176,448
Income taxes payable 9,175 9,541
Accrued expenses 476,817 406,659
Current portion of long-term debt 47,768 44,505
Deferred revenue 195,418 41,925
Other current liabilities 38,533 294,646
------------------ ------------------
Total current liabilities 962,265 973,724
Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability 185,324 167,378
Long-term debt 471,083 619,143
Other liabilities 507,223 373,506
------------------ ------------------
Total liabilities 2,125,895 2,133,751
------------------ ------------------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
87 86
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares
authorized; 86,961,313 and
86,467,873 shares issued and
outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
Additional paid-in capital 2,079,191 2,022,743
Accumulated earnings 1,287,638 1,626,071
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,477) (5,037)
-------------------- ----------------------
Total stockholders' equity 3,361,439 3,643,863
------------------ ------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,487,334 $ 5,777,614
======= ========= ======= =========
FIRST SOLAR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2012 2011 2012 2011
------------ -------------- --------------- ----------------
Net sales $ 957,332 $ 532,774 $ 1,454,387 $ 1,100,067
Cost of sales 713,591 337,976 1,133,901 645,604
------------ ---------------- --------------- ------------------
Gross profit 243,741 194,798 320,486 454,463
Operating expenses:
Research and development 32,365 33,102 68,449 64,453
Selling, general and administrative 52,184 86,872 144,004 173,872
Production start-up 533 10,294 4,591 22,225
Restructuring 19,000 -- 420,065 --
------------ ---------------- --------------- ------------------
Total operating expenses 104,082 130,268 637,109 260,550
------------ ---------------- --------------- ------------------
Operating income (loss) 139,659 64,530 (316,623) 193,913
Foreign currency gain 1,015 1,659 31 2,609
Interest income 3,379 3,417 6,290 6,440
Interest expense, net (7,372) -- (8,292) --
Other income (expense), net (1,334) 2,351 (2,545) 2,002
-------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 135,347 71,957 (321,139) 204,964
Income tax expense 24,364 10,819 17,294 27,858
------------ ---------------- --------------- ------------------
Net income (loss) $ 110,983 $ 61,138 $ (338,433) $ 177,106
=== ======= ======= ======= ==== ========= == ======= =========
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $ 1.28 $ 0.71 $ (3.90) $ 2.07
=== ======= ======= ======= ==== ========= == ======= =========
Diluted $ 1.27 $ 0.70 $ (3.90) $ 2.03
=== ======= ======= ======= ==== ========= == ======= =========
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic 86,855 86,164 86,681 85,746
============ ================ =============== ==================
Diluted 87,653 87,126 86,681 87,092
============ ================ =============== ==================
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The non-GAAP financial measures included in the tables below are non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share, which adjust for the ***owing items: Cost in Excess of Normal Warranty Expense, and Restructuring. We believe the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's operating performance. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company's performance to prior periods and investors benefit from an understanding of these non-GAAP financial measures. The use of non-GAAP financial measures has limitations and you should not consider these performance measures in isolation from or as an alternative to measures presented in accordance with GAAP such as net income and net income per share.
Cost in Excess of Normal Warranty Expense: Included in our GAAP presentation of cost of sales, cost in excess of normal warranty expense reflects estimated costs related to our remediation of a manufacturing excursion that occurred between June 2008 and June 2009. We exclude this expense from our non-GAAP measures because we do not believe they reflect expected long-term future costs.
Restructuring: Included in our GAAP presentation of operating expenses, restructuring costs represent asset impairment and related costs and severance and termination related costs primarily due to a series of restructuring initiatives intended to align the organization with our long-term strategic plan including expected sustainable market opportunities and to reduce costs. We exclude restructuring from our non-GAAP measures because the asset impairment portion of the charges does not reflect our cash position or our cash flows from operating activities, and the restructuring charges overall do not reflect future operating expenses, are not indicative of our core operating performance, and are not meaningful in comparing to our past operating performance.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012 (In thousands except per share
data)
GAAP Cost in Excess of Normal Restructuring Non-GAAP
Warranty Expense
--------- ---------------------- ------------ ---------
Net income before income taxes $ 135,347 $ 12,511 (1) $ 23,684 (2) $ 171,542
Income tax expense 24,364 376 (3) 1,931 (3) 26,671
--------- -------- -------------- -------- ---- ---------
Net income $ 110,983 $ 12,135 $ 21,753 $ 144,871
========= ======== ======== =========
Net income per fully diluted share $ 1.27 $ 0.14 $ 0.25 $ 1.65
Weighted-average shares outstanding 87,653 87,653 87,653 87,653
========= ======== ============== ======== ==== =========
(1) Balance includes $12.5 million related to estimated expenses
associated with certain remediation efforts related to the
manufacturing excursion that occurred between June 2008 and June
2009.
(2) Balance includes $19.0 million of restructuring expense and $4.7
million of costs associated with the repayment of debt for our
German manufacturing center.
(3) Amounts adjust the provision for income taxes to reflect the
effect of the non-GAAP adjustments on non-GAAP net income.
SOURCE: First Solar, Inc.
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