First Solar(US:FSLR) ZACKSยท2025-04-30 17:15Core Insights - First Solar, Inc. reported a decline in earnings per share for Q1 2025, with earnings of $1.95, down 11.4% from $2.20 in the prior year, and missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.50 by 22% [1] - The company's net sales for Q1 2025 were $844.6 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $851 million by 0.7%, but showing a year-over-year increase of 6.4% from $794.1 million [2] - First Solar has lowered its 2025 guidance for earnings, sales, and gross profit due to the expected impact of new tariffs [5][6][7] Financial Performance - The gross profit for Q1 2025 was $344.4 million, a slight decrease of 0.5% from $346 million in the same quarter last year [3] - Total operating expenses increased by 18.4% year-over-year to $123.2 million, leading to an operating income of $221.2 million, down from $243.1 million in the prior year [3] - As of March 31, 2025, First Solar had $0.84 billion in cash and cash equivalents, down from $1.62 billion at the end of 2024, while long-term debt decreased to $327.9 million from $373.4 million [4] 2025 Guidance - First Solar now expects earnings in the range of $12.50-$17.50 per share, down from the previous guidance of $17.00-$20.00, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $18.22 [5] - The company anticipates sales between $4.50-$5.50 billion, reduced from the earlier range of $5.30-$5.80 billion, with the consensus estimate at $5.48 billion [6] - Gross profit is now expected to be between $1.96-$2.47 billion, down from $2.45-$2.75 billion, and operating income is anticipated to be in the range of $1.45-$2.00 billion, compared to the previous guidance of $1.95-$2.30 billion [7] Operational Highlights - Module shipments are now expected to be between 15.5-19.3 gigawatts (GW), down from the prior guidance of 18-20 GW [8] - The capital expenditure guidance has been narrowed from $1.30-$1.50 billion to $1.00-$1.50 billion [8]