Canadian Solar Q3 2016 Profit Down

GUELPH, Ontario — Canadian Solar Inc. announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. 

Third Quarter 2016 Highlights

• Total solar module shipments were 1,185 MW, of which 1,161 MW was recognized in revenue, compared to 1,290 MW recognized in revenue in the second quarter of 2016, and third quarter guidance in the range of 1,200 MW to 1,300 MW.
• Net revenue was $657.3 million, compared to $805.9 million in the second quarter of 2016, and third quarter guidance in the range of $660 million to $710 million.
• Net revenue from the total solutions business as a percentage of total net revenue was 10.4%, compared to 8.5% in the second quarter of 2016.
• Gross margin was 17.8%, compared to 17.2% in the second quarter of 2016, and third quarter guidance in the range of 14.0% to 16.0%.
• Net income attributable to Canadian Solar was $15.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $40.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016.
• Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances at the end of the quarter totaled $986.0 million, compared to $1.0 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2016.
• Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $205.7 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $145.2 million in the second quarter of 2016.
• The Company’s portfolio of operating solar power plants now totals 948 MWp, with an estimated total resale value of approximately $1.4 billion.
• The Company targets to complete the sale of certain utility-scale solar power plants in Canada and China either by the end of 2016 or early 2017 and has started the sale process of its projects in the U.S. as these projects reaching COD.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, remarked: “We remain confident in our long-term outlook and in our proven ability to navigate through disruptive, lower-visibility market environments. Canadian Solar has always emerged in a stronger position from these periods of market volatility. We will continue to invest in advanced technologies that will deliver even higher module efficiency. We expect to further benefit from our global brand and flexible capacity structure. Our track record of stability and consistent long-term execution sets Canadian Solar apart from our peers. Our financial partners share our confidence and positive outlook for the global solar industry. Our bankability is further underscored by our recent issuance of total RMB900 million commercial papers and entry into a JPY9.6 billion 3-year loan facility.”  

Third Quarter 2016 Results

Net revenue in the third quarter of 2016 was $657.3 million, down 18.4% from $805.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and 22.7% from $849.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. Module shipments recognized in revenue totaled 1,161 MW, compared to 1,290 MW recognized in revenue in the second quarter of 2016 and 1,150 MW recognized in revenue in the third quarter of 2015. Solar module shipments recognized in revenue in the third quarter of 2016 included 16.3 MW used in the total solutions business, compared to 18.7 MW in the second quarter of 2016 and 110.5 MW in the third quarter of 2015.

The following table is a summary of net revenues by geographic region based on the location of customers’ headquarters (in millions of US$, except percentages).  

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2016 was $117.3 million, compared to $138.5 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $126.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2016 was 17.8%, compared to 17.2% in the second quarter of 2016 and 14.9% in the third quarter of 2015. The sequential increase in gross margin was primarily due to lower module costs resulting from decreased purchase price of wafer and cell as well as improved manufacturing efficiency of the Company.

Total operating expenses were $90.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, down 8.7% from $98.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and 5.9% from $95.9 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Selling expenses were $34.0 million in the third quarter of 2016, up 0.3% from $33.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and down 8.8% from $37.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. The slight sequential increase in selling expenses was primarily due to higher labor costs, partially offset by lower shipping and handling expenses and external sales commission. The year-over-year decrease in selling expenses was primarily due to lower external sales commission, partially offset by higher labor costs.

General and administrative expenses were $51.7 million in the third quarter of 2016, down 13.8% from $60.0 million in the second quarter of 2016 and 5.4% from $54.6 million in the third quarter of 2015. Excluding the non-recurring charges recorded in the second quarter, which include a $10.8 million charge for the terminated YieldCo launch and a $7.6 million estimated tornado damage to the Company’s Funing cell factory, and a $20.8 million expense recorded in the third quarter of 2015 for the settlement of LDK arbitration case, general and administrative expenses actually increased sequentially and year-over-year primarily due to an approximately $6.6 million impairment charge for certain solar power systems as well as higher labor costs. 

Research and development expenses were $4.6 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Income from operations was $27.0 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $39.6 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $30.9 million in the third quarter of 2015. Operating margin was 4.1% in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 4.9% in the second quarter of 2016 and 3.6% in the third quarter of 2015.

Non-cash depreciation and amortization charges were approximately $25.4 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $24.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. Non-cash equity compensation expense was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Interest expense was $18.8 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $11.9 million in the second quarter of 2016, and $13.0 million in the third quarter of 2015. The increase in interest expense was mainly due to lower capitalized interest, a higher balance of outstanding debt and higher financing costs for the Company’s projects in the U.S.

Interest income was $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. 

The Company recorded a gain on change in fair value of derivatives of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared to a loss on change in fair value of derivatives of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a loss on change in fair value of derivatives of $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2015. The gain on change in fair value of derivatives in the third quarter of 2016 came primarily from the change in fair value of warrants of $1.7 million.

The Company recorded a foreign exchange gain in the third quarter of 2016 of $4.4 million compared to a gain of $24.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a gain of $17.1 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Income tax expense was $16 thousand in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 and income tax benefit of $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar was $15.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016, compared to net income of $40.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016, and net income of $30.4 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015.

The entire financial report can be viewed here.