SunPower (SPWR) Tops Q2 EPS by 28c, Revenues Beat; Offers 3Q Revenue Outlook Below Consensus

SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) reported Q2 EPS of ($0.01), $0.28 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.29). Revenue for the quarter came in at $447.2 million versus the consensus estimate of $395.36 million.

"Strong customer demand in our global DG business, combined with our continuing cost control initiatives, enabled us to exceed our forecasts for the quarter,\" said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO and chairman of the board. "We also made significant progress on our previously announced efforts to delever our balance sheet and simplify our business model with the monetization of our ownership stake in 8point3 Energy Partners and the planned sale of our microinverter assets to Enphase, as previously announced. Strategically, we remain committed to achieving sustainable profitability, scaling our NGT and improving cash flow.

"We expect to transition to our new upstream and downstream segmentation by the first quarter of 2019. This decision will allow us to focus our downstream efforts on the higher-margin U.S. DG business while growing global sales of our upstream solar panel business through our SunPower Solutions group. Also, this structure will provide the resources to invest in those areas that offer the highest differentiation and growth potential including our industry-leading NGT cell and panel technology, solar-plus-storage solutions, as well as expanding our grid-services offerings," concluded Werner.

"Demand for our industry-leading solutions, as well as the prudent management of our expenses, enabled us to surpass our forecasts," said Manavendra Sial, SunPower chief financial officer. "We were also pleased with the completion of the first phase of our asset monetization strategy as we expect these transactions, as well as others, will provide us with the resources we need to invest in our core growth opportunities that especially enhance our DG business. Additionally, in preparation for our new segmentation, we successfully implemented several lean corporate expense initiatives which will streamline our decision-making processes and reduce future corporate run rate costs. With our cash flow focused strategy, improved balance sheet and the benefits of the transition to our new segmentation in the fourth quarter, we are well positioned to achieve our financial goals this year."

Financial Outlook

The company's third quarter and FY 2018 GAAP and non-GAAP guidance reflects the impact related to the section 201 trade case.

The company\'s third quarter GAAP guidance is as follows: revenue of $425 million to $475 million, gross margin of negative 1.0 percent to positive 1.0 percent and a net loss of $215 million to $195 million. Third quarter 2018 GAAP guidance includes the impact of revenue and timing deferrals due to sale-leaseback transactions as well as charges related to the company\'s restructuring initiatives. On a non-GAAP basis, the company expects revenue of $450 million to $500 million, gross margin of 6 percent to 8 percent, Adjusted EBITDA of negative $10 million to positive $10 million and megawatts (MW) deployed in the range of 400 MW to 430 MW. Third quarter guidance excludes the impact of the company\'s proposed acquisition of SolarWorld Americas as well as the potential financial impact of timing differences related to its previously announced proposed asset sales. Additionally, third quarter Adjusted EBITDA guidance assumes an approximate $10 million inventory charge related to the company\'s second quarter impairment of legacy manufacturing assets.

For FY 2018, the company now expects Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $95 million to $125 million compared to its previous guidance of $75 million to $125 million. Additionally, as a result of the asset impairment charge in the second quarter of 2018, the company expects its FY 2018 GAAP net loss to be in the range of $830 million to $860 million. The balance of the company\'s FY 2018 non-GAAP guidance remains unchanged.

GUIDANCE:

SunPower sees Q3 2018 revenue of $425-475 million, versus the consensus of $514.64 million.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on SunPower (SPWR) click here.

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