Roth/MKM cuts Canadian Solar stock rating, slashes PT to $9

Published 25/04/2025, 09:16
Roth/MKM cuts Canadian Solar stock rating, slashes PT to $9

On Friday, Roth/MKM analysts revised their outlook on Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:CSIQ), downgrading the stock from a "Buy" to a "Neutral" rating, while also significantly reducing the price target from $15.00 to $9.00. The downgrade reflects growing concerns over the company’s core module business and the impact of recent tariffs. According to InvestingPro data, despite a significant 24% surge in the past week, CSIQ’s stock remains down over 30% in the last six months, trading at just 0.22 times book value.

Analysts at Roth/MKM highlighted that Canadian Solar’s core module business has faced challenges over the last 18 months due to a global oversupply. Despite these challenges, the firm had maintained a "Buy" rating, largely on the strength of Canadian Solar’s storage outperformance. However, the imposition of a 145% tariff by China has introduced new uncertainties and risks to the company’s storage economics. InvestingPro analysis reveals concerning fundamentals, including a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87 and weak gross profit margins of 16.7%.

The analysts expressed caution regarding the potential outcomes of upcoming anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) decisions. They noted that these uncertainties, combined with the persistent oversupply in modules and risks associated with further enforcement of tariffs (FEOC/tariff risks), have prompted them to revise their stance on the stock.

The adjusted price target of $9.00 from the previous $15.00 reflects a more conservative valuation of Canadian Solar’s prospects. The analysts’ statement indicated that while there might be a reevaluation of their position if the China tariffs are removed, the current environment warrants a neutral position due to the lack of a clear resolution to the oversupply issue and the upcoming AD/CVD decisions.

In other recent news, Canadian Solar Inc. reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a significant miss on earnings per share (EPS), which came in at -$1.47 compared to a forecast of -$0.03. However, the company’s revenue exceeded expectations, reaching $1.67 billion against an anticipated $1.64 billion. Despite the EPS miss, Canadian Solar’s stock saw a modest increase following the earnings release. The company is focusing on margin protection and strategic manufacturing investments amid a challenging market environment. Meanwhile, Oppenheimer adjusted its financial outlook for Canadian Solar, reducing the price target from $25.00 to $23.00 but maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm cited a significant drop in solar module spot prices and ongoing U.S. policy uncertainties as contributing factors. Additionally, Citi highlighted the impact of recent trade rulings, noting a substantial increase in tariffs for Canadian Solar, which could affect its competitive position and financial performance. These developments underscore the evolving challenges and opportunities within the solar industry.

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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