Head-To-Head Analysis: Vivopower International (NASDAQ:VVPR) versus First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

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

Risk and Volatility

Vivopower International has a beta of -1.65, meaning that its stock price is 265% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Solar has a beta of 1.61, meaning that its stock price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Vivopower International	N/A	N/A	N/A
First Solar	29.28%	17.32%	11.81%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

15.8% of Vivopower International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.1% of First Solar shares are held by institutional investors. 9.1% of Vivopower International shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of First Solar shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Vivopower International and First Solar”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Vivopower International	$61,000.00	558.58	-$12.79 million	N/A	N/A
First Solar	$5.22 billion	3.88	$1.53 billion	$14.21	13.28

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than Vivopower International.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Vivopower International and First Solar, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Vivopower International	1	0	0	0	1.00
First Solar	2	13	19	0	2.50

First Solar has a consensus target price of $244.49, suggesting a potential upside of 29.56%. Given First Solar’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Solar is more favorable than Vivopower International.

Summary

First Solar beats Vivopower International on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vivopower International

VivoPower International PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a sustainable energy solutions company in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. It operates through Critical Power Services, Electric Vehicles, Sustainable Energy Solutions, and Solar Development segments. The Critical Power Services segment offers energy infrastructure generation and distribution solutions, including the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of power and control systems to a range of government, commercial, and industrial customers. The Electric Vehicles segment designs and builds electric battery conversion kits to replace internal combustion engines for customers in the mining, infrastructure, utilities, and government services sectors. The Sustainable Energy Solutions segment engages in the design, evaluation, sale, and implementation of renewable energy infrastructure. The Solar Development segment comprises solar projects. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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.