Thursday, October 28, 2010

"First Solar Q3 Revs, EPS Beat; But Gross Margin Off; Shrs Fall" (FSLR)

The stock is getting spanked in after-hours action, down $9.97 (6.6%)
We'l have some comments on the earnings call tomorrow.
Here's Barron's Tech Trader Daily:

First Solar (FSLR) shares are taking a hit in after hours trading, despite better-than-expected Q3 results.
For the quarter, the company reported revenue of $798 million and profits of $2.04 a share, ahead of the Street at $778.8 million and $1.95. First Solar noted that latest quarter results include a one-time tax hit of 17 cents a share related to the repatriation of $300 million of profits from profits held in overseas subsidiaries; excluding that factor profits would have been $2.21 a share.

For all of 2010, First Solar now sees revenue of $2.58 billion to $2.61 billion, up from previous guidance of $2.5 billion to $2.6 billion; the Street had been expecting $2.58 billion....MORE
And 24/7 Wall Street:

First Solar Margin Pressure Trumps Earnings & Guidance (FSLR)
 First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) looked like a decent report, but there is a sell-the-news reaction taking place in the after-hours trading session.  The solar giant posted 16% higher earnings of $2.04 EPS versus $1.79 a year ago.  Revenues rose 66% to $797.89 million.  Thomson Reuters had estimates of $1.95 EPS and $778.76 million in revenues.
 Earnings would have been $0.17 higher but the company took a $0.17 charge related to the repatriation of $300 million in profits brought in from a foreign subsidiary....MORE