12/08/2022 10:46 -
Jefferies sees big push for SMA Solar
** Jefferies raises SMA Solar to "hold", from "underperform", expecting a significant pickup in the demand for solar components boosted by the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States
** The broker notes that strong pickup in demand is driving very strong order intake; SMA has already booked a record order intake of 519 million euros ($534 million) for Q2, 121% ahead of 2Q21
** Jefferies says that the order block sits at record 861 mln euros and the order momentum continues to run at a similar pace in Q3, with no material slowdown or cancellations in sight
** "The recent approval of the Inflation Reduction Act in the Senate supports even more optimism, as this could lead to a larger boost to orders once signed into law", it says
** The brokerage anticipates the order backlog in 2022 to rise to over 1 bln euros, providing a base for very strong growth in 2023, assuming an improvement in the supply of components
** It adds that the large order backlog and improved component availability should lead to a significant increase in production volumes and a material increase in profitability in 2023 despite continued profitability headwinds