Canadian Solar Reports First Quarter 2017 Results

GUELPH, Ontario, June 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. ("Canadian Solar" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar power companies, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2017 ended March 31, 2017.

First Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Total solar module shipments were 1,480 MW, compared to 1,612 MW in Q4 of 2016, and Q1 2017 guidance was in the range of 1,150 MW to 1,200 MW.
• Net revenue was $677.0 million, compared to $668.4 million in Q4 of 2016, and Q1 2017 guidance was in the range of $570 million to $590 million.
• Net revenue from the total solutions business as a percentage of total net revenue was 18.8% compared to 6.6% in Q4 of 2016.
• Gross margin was 13.5%, compared to 13.9% (excluding the AD/CVD true-up provision of $44.1 million) or 7.3% (including the AD/CVD true-up provision of $44.1 million) in Q4 of 2016, and Q1 2017 guidance was in the range of 13.0% to 15.0%.
• Net loss attributable to Canadian Solar was $13.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $13.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share in Q4 of 2016.
• Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances as of March 31, 2017 was $961.4 million, compared to $1.01 billion as of December 31, 2016.
• In March, the Company completed the sale of two solar power plants in China, for over RMB687.1 million (US$99.8 million). In February, the Company also completed the sale of three solar power plants in Canada, totaling 59.8 MWac, for over C$257 million ($195.32 million).
• The Company's portfolio of solar power plants in commercial operation was 1,156.5 MWp as of March 31, 2017, with an estimated total resale value of approximately $1.6 billion.

Summary Financial Results (for full news release click here)

Net revenue in the first quarter of 2017 was $677.0 million, up 1.3% from $668.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and down 6.2% from $721.4 million in the first quarter of 2016. Solar module shipments recognized in revenue totaled 1,489 MW, compared to 1,581 MW recognized in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 1,172 MW recognized in revenue in the first quarter of 2016. Solar module shipments recognized in revenue in the first quarter of 2017 included 176.3 MW used in the Company's total solutions business, compared to 85.6 MW in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 24.8 MW in the first quarter of 2016.

Gross profit in the first quarter of 2017 was $91.4 million, compared $49.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $112.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. Gross margin in the first quarter of 2017 was 13.5%, compared to 13.9% in the fourth quarter of 2016, (excluding the AD/CVD true-up provision of $44.1 million) or compared to 7.3% (including the AD/CVD true-up provision of $44.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2016, and compared to 15.6% in the first quarter of 2016.

Total operating expenses were $93.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, up 54.4% from $60.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and up 26.5% from $74.1 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Loss from operations was $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to loss from operations of $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and income from operations of $38.4 million in the first quarter of 2016. Excluding the $8.6 million LDK provision and the $44.1 million AD/CVD true-up provision, income from operations would have been $6.3 million and $32.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 and in the fourth quarter of 2016, respectively. Operating margin was negative 0.3% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to negative 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 5.3% in the first quarter of 2016. Excluding the $8.6 million LDK provision and the $44.1 million AD/CVD true-up provision, operating margin would have been 0.9% and 4.8% in the first quarter of 2017 and in the fourth quarter of 2016, respectively.Non-cash depreciation and amortization charges were approximately $17.1 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $19.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and $25.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. Non-cash equity compensation expense was $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2016.