First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) versus SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWRW) Financial Analysis

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWRW) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and earnings.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

92.1% of First Solar shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of First Solar shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for First Solar and SunPower, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
First Solar	2	12	18	1	2.55
SunPower	0	0	0	0	0.00

First Solar currently has a consensus price target of $249.78, suggesting a potential upside of 0.55%. Given First Solar’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Solar is more favorable than SunPower.

Profitability

This table compares First Solar and SunPower’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Solar	30.73%	18.01%	12.57%
SunPower	N/A	N/A	N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares First Solar and SunPower”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
First Solar	$5.42 billion	4.93	$1.53 billion	$15.48	16.05
SunPower	$294.38 million	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than SunPower.

Summary

First Solar beats SunPower on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc., a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, Japan, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with a thin film semiconductor technology that provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules. It designs, manufactures, and sells cadmium telluride solar modules that converts sunlight into electricity. The company's residual business operations include project development activities, operations and maintenance services, and the sale of PV solar power systems to third-party customers. It serves developers and operators of systems, utilities, independent power producers, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners. The company was formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to First Solar, Inc. in 2006. First Solar, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

About SunPower

Complete Solaria, Inc. provides solar technology and installation services. It offers solar panel designing and installation services, as well as develops a solar digital platform for homeowners and installers. The company also provide financing for solar panels. Complete Solaria, Inc. is based in Fremont, California.