First Solar Announces Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results
•§Net sales of $1 billion •§EPS of $2.25 per fully diluted share •§Cash and Marketable Securities of $795 million •§Revised 2011 EPS guidance of $6.50 - $7.50 per fully diluted share TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2011. Net sales were $1,006 million in the quarter, an increase of $473 million from the second quarter of 2011. Quarterly net sales increased from $798 million in the third quarter of 2010. Third quarter net income per fully diluted share was $2.25, up from $0.70 in the second quarter of 2011 and $2.04 in the third quarter of 2010. Third quarter Cash and Marketable Securities increased $279 million quarter over quarter to $795 million. "First Solar's performance in the quarter reflects our superior technology, strong execution capability, and integrated business model - all of which have enabled us to weather a difficult market environment relatively well," said Mike Ahearn, Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer of First Solar. "Going forward, our goal is not just to survive the current environment, but to transcend it by creating and expanding markets worldwide that do not depend on today's subsidy programs. This requires that we re-focus our strategy and commit our resources to solving the pressing energy needs that exist in much of the world." With respect to Rob Gillette's departure, Ahearn said, "We thank Rob for his service, but the Board of Directors believes First Solar needed a leadership change to navigate through the industry turmoil and achieve our long-term goals." First Solar's updated 2011 guidance is as follows: •§Net sales of $3.0 to $3.3 billion •§Operating Income of $650 to $760 million •§Effective tax rate of 13% to 14% •§Earnings per fully diluted share of $6.50 to $7.50 •§Manufacturing start-up expenses of approximately $35 million and factory ramp costs of $10 to $12 million In preparation for 2012, the company is reducing capital expenditures and evaluating opportunities to reallocate overhead expenses to fund increased investments in market development, sales, and R&D. We have scheduled a conference call at 4:30 p.m. EDT on November 3, 2011 to discuss the third quarter results and revised 2011 outlook. Investors may access a live webcast of this conference call by visiting http://investor.firstsolar.com/events.cfm. 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 Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST and can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 if you are calling from within the United States or 719-457-0820 if you are calling from outside the United States and entering the replay pass code 9081154. 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 manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology, and is a premier provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) system solutions. The company is delivering an economically viable alternative to fossil-fuel generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating value-driven renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com. 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 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) § §Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 September 25, 2010 September 30, 2011 September 25, 2010 Net sales $ 1,005,788 $ 797,899 $ 2,105,855 $ 1,953,714 Cost of sales 626,624 476,007 1,272,228 1,065,592 Gross profit 379,164 321,892 833,627 888,122 Operating expenses: Research and development 38,164 21,472 102,617 67,196 Selling, general and administrative 112,743 84,961 286,615 230,422 Production start-up 5,514 3,821 27,739 7,252 Total operating expenses 156,421 110,254 416,971 304,870 Operating income 222,743 211,638 416,656 583,252 Foreign currency (loss) gain (1,857 ) (1,001 ) 752 (4,322 ) Interest income 3,225 2,658 9,665 11,341 Interest expense, net — — — (6 ) Other (expense) income, net (1,346 ) (380 ) 656 (1,553 ) Income before income taxes 222,765 212,915 427,729 588,712 Income tax expense 26,251 36,046 54,109 80,455 Net income $ 196,514 $ 176,869 $ 373,620 $ 508,257 Net income per share: Basic $ 2.28 $ 2.08 $ 4.35 $ 5.99 Diluted $ 2.25 $ 2.04 $ 4.29 $ 5.88 Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations: Basic 86,338 85,072 85,946 84,810 Diluted 87,151 86,610 87,114 86,368 § FIRST SOLAR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) § September 30, 2011 December 31, 2010 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 678,560 $ 765,689 Marketable securities and investments 84,350 167,889 Accounts receivable trade, net 481,978 305,537 Accounts receivable, unbilled 325,641 1,482 Inventories 432,887 195,863 Balance of systems parts 43,287 4,579 Deferred tax assets, net 31,716 388 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 352,049 143,033 Total current assets 2,430,468 1,584,460 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,840,295 1,430,789 Project assets 282,788 320,140 Deferred tax assets, net 278,772 259,236 Marketable securities 31,859 180,271 Restricted cash and investments 203,763 86,003 Goodwill 458,808 433,288 Inventories 48,151 42,728 Other assets 148,408 43,488 Total assets $ 5,723,312 $ 4,380,403 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 170,904 $ 82,312 Income taxes payable 33,411 16,831 Accrued expenses 271,991 244,271 Current portion of long-term debt 25,597 26,587 Other current liabilities 245,098 99,676 Total current liabilities 747,001 469,677 Accrued solar module collection and recycling liability 185,160 132,951 Long-term debt 582,744 210,804 Other liabilities 182,623 112,026 Total liabilities 1,697,528 925,458 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 86,377,679 and 85,843,511 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively 86 86 Additional paid-in capital 1,965,840 1,815,420 Contingent consideration — 1,118 Accumulated earnings 2,039,183 1,665,564 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 20,675 (27,243 ) Total stockholders' equity 4,025,784 3,454,945 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,723,312 $ 4,380,403 |