SMA Solar Technology (OTCMKTS:SMTGY) vs. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Financial Survey

SMA Solar Technology (OTCMKTS:SMTGY) and First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends and profitability.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares SMA Solar Technology and First Solar”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
SMA Solar Technology	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
First Solar	$4.21 billion	5.96	$1.29 billion	$11.69	19.98

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than SMA Solar Technology.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

92.1% of First Solar shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of First Solar shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
SMA Solar Technology	N/A	N/A	N/A
First Solar	28.95%	15.57%	10.36%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for SMA Solar Technology and First Solar, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
SMA Solar Technology	0	0	0	0	0.00
First Solar	1	4	24	2	2.87

First Solar has a consensus price target of $244.81, suggesting a potential upside of 4.81%. Given First Solar’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe First Solar is more favorable than SMA Solar Technology.

Summary

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

About SMA Solar Technology

SMA Solar Technology AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in development, production, and sale of PV and battery inverters, transformers, chokes, monitoring systems for PV systems, and charging solutions for electric vehicles in Germany and internationally. It operates through Home Solutions, Commercial and Industrial Solutions, and Large Scale and Project Solutions segments. The company offers string and central solar inverters for various module types; battery inverters for high voltage batteries, on- and off- grid applications, commercial and industrial storage solutions, large scale storage solutions, and accessories; medium-voltage technology products; and DC-DC converters. It also provides E-mobility charging solutions; monitoring and control solutions for PV systems; and energy data services, as well as digital solutions to design, operate, and service PV systems and energy systems. The company was formerly known as SMA Technologie AG and changed its name to SMA Solar Technology AG in June 2008. SMA Solar Technology AG was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Niestetal, Germany.

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.