Oppenheimer cuts Canadian Solar target to $23, keeps Outperform

Published 25/03/2025, 22:04
Oppenheimer cuts Canadian Solar target to $23, keeps Outperform

On Tuesday, Oppenheimer adjusted its financial outlook for Canadian Solar Inc (NASDAQ:CSIQ), reducing the price target to $23.00 from the previous $25.00. Despite this change, the firm maintained its Outperform rating on the company’s stock. The adjustment comes as the stock has declined over 30% in the past six months, though InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, trading at just 0.22 times book value.

The revision comes as the solar module spot prices have seen a significant decrease of around 40% over the last two quarters. This price drop, combined with the ongoing uncertainty in U.S. policies related to tariffs and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), has created a challenging environment for companies in the solar energy sector. The impact is reflected in Canadian Solar’s financial metrics, with revenue expected to decline by 21% this year, according to InvestingPro data.

Oppenheimer acknowledges Canadian Solar’s adept handling of these risks and its continued efforts to create value. The firm highlights the company’s success in its energy storage and project businesses, which have contributed to its margin enhancement. The company’s energy storage offerings, in particular, are seen as a key driver of profit growth. However, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87 and negative free cash flow yield, the company faces financial challenges that warrant monitoring.

Moreover, the analyst points out the value of Canadian Solar’s equity stake in Recurrent, which was recently valued at $2 billion following a transaction with BlackRock (NYSE:BLK). This valuation is indicative of the company’s strategic investments and its potential for future growth.

Canadian Solar is also proactively expanding its project portfolio, especially as certain private developers exit the market due to liquidity issues. These assets are expected to appreciate in value due to rising electricity prices and strong interconnection positions, which could be beneficial for Canadian Solar in the long run.

In light of these factors, while Oppenheimer has adjusted its price target for Canadian Solar, the firm’s outlook on the stock remains positive, with expectations of considerable asset appreciation in the future. For deeper insights into Canadian Solar’s financial health and growth prospects, including 12 additional ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Canadian Solar reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a significant miss on earnings per share (EPS) with an actual EPS of -$1.47 compared to the forecast of -$0.03. However, the company exceeded revenue expectations, reporting $1.67 billion against the anticipated $1.64 billion. Despite the EPS miss, Canadian Solar’s stock saw a modest increase in pre-market trading. The company also launched its SolBank 3.0 energy storage solution and expanded its U.S. manufacturing facilities. Analysts have noted Canadian Solar’s strategic focus on margin protection amid a challenging market environment. The company anticipates 2025 module shipments between 30-35 gigawatts and projects full-year revenue of $7.3-$8.3 billion. Looking ahead, Canadian Solar plans to continue strategic manufacturing investments and navigate market consolidation.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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