Solar Enertech (OTCMKTS:SOEN) & First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Critical Comparison

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and Solar Enertech (OTCMKTS:SOEN) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, valuation and profitability.

Risk and Volatility

First Solar has a beta of 1.41, suggesting that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Solar Enertech has a beta of 51.42, suggesting that its share price is 5,042% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares First Solar and Solar Enertech’s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
First Solar	$3.32 billion	4.93	$830.78 million	$7.74	19.79
Solar Enertech	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

First Solar has higher revenue and earnings than Solar Enertech.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

92.1% of First Solar shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of First Solar shares are owned by company 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 Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for First Solar and Solar Enertech, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
First Solar	0	3	18	0	2.86
Solar Enertech	0	0	0	0	N/A

First Solar currently has a consensus price target of $231.48, suggesting a potential upside of 51.13%.

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
First Solar	25.03%	13.80%	9.16%
Solar Enertech	N/A	N/A	N/A

Summary

First Solar beats Solar Enertech on 7 of the 8 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 Solar Enertech

Solar EnerTech Corp. operates as a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy cell manufacturing company. Its principal products include monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon solar cells and modules. The company's solar cells convert sunlight to electricity through the PV effect. It also designs and produces advanced PV modules for various applications, such as standard panels for solar power stations, roof panels, solar arrays, and modules incorporated directly into exterior walls. The company markets its products primarily to solar panel installers, who incorporate those modules into their power generating systems that are sold to end-customers located in Europe, Australia, North America, and China. It markets its solar cells and modules under the SolarE brand name. The company was formerly known as Safer Residence Corporation and changed its name to Solar EnerTech Corp. in April 2006. Solar EnerTech Corp. was incorporated in 2004 is headquartered in Mountain View, California.