NXT Q1 Earnings Call: Missed Revenue Expectations, Expanding Product Portfolio, and Margin Outlook

Solar tracker company Nextracker (NASDAQ: NXT) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 25.5% year on year to $924.3 million. Its non-GAAP EPS of $1.29 per share was 32% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

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StockStory’s Take

Nextracker’s first quarter results were shaped by continued demand for utility-scale solar trackers and expanded international activity, which management said drove a sequential increase in backlog and bookings. CEO Dan Shugar emphasized the company’s efforts to strengthen its market leadership, highlighting recent wins in regions such as Europe, Latin America, and Australia. President Howard Wenger pointed to the successful uptake of new products like the Hail Pro series and strong customer demand for fully domestic content in the U.S., supported by a flexible supply chain. Management also noted stable pricing and project execution, with the backlog providing enhanced visibility into near-term revenue streams.

Looking ahead, Nextracker’s guidance reflects increased investment in research and development, expansion into adjacent technologies, and ongoing policy uncertainty in the U.S. solar market. CEO Dan Shugar described a strategic move toward becoming a broader solar technology platform provider, with recent acquisitions such as Bentek Corporation expected to contribute to future growth. CFO Chuck Boynton cautioned that higher operating expenses and capital expenditures would impact margins, stating, “We’re leaning in on growth and investing in OpEx and CapEx to drive multi-year expansion.” Management acknowledged risks related to evolving U.S. policy, tariffs, and global project mix but pointed to a strong contracted backlog as a buffer for the coming year.

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management attributed Q1 performance to a combination of robust international sales, the steady ramp of new product offerings, and the expansion of its order backlog. The quarter also saw the company continue its shift towards a comprehensive solar technology platform.

• International expansion momentum: Management highlighted that contracts were signed in 17 different countries during the quarter, including growth in less-discussed markets such as Saudi Arabia, Greece, Peru, Chile, and Bulgaria. Europe, especially Spain, saw record deliveries, attributed to the success of the XTR terrain-following tracker tailored for regional conditions.
• Domestic content demand: In the U.S., Nextracker observed rising demand for tracker systems with 100% domestic content, a trend tied to policy incentives and customer requirements. The company’s flexible supply chain, with 90 manufacturing sites across 19 countries, allowed it to meet these needs and secure long-term customer relationships.
• New product adoption: The Hail Pro series and TrueCapture yield management platform gained strong traction, with over nine gigawatts of Hail Pro trackers sold and significant sales of the XTR series. These products address insurance and system performance requirements, which management claims are increasingly important for customers.
• Order backlog growth: The order backlog increased sequentially, with management reporting “record bookings and backlog” and continued book-to-bill ratios above one. This backlog, encompassing both domestic and international projects, was described as providing visibility and reducing revenue uncertainty.
• Strategic acquisitions: The acquisition of Bentek Corporation and two specialty foundation companies marked a shift toward a solar power technology platform. Management stated that integrating tracker and electrical balance-of-system (eBOS) offerings would simplify procurement for customers and create new revenue streams beyond the traditional tracker business.

Drivers of Future Performance

Nextracker’s outlook is shaped by ongoing investments in product development, expansion into new business lines, and uncertainties related to policy and market conditions.

• Platform expansion strategy: Management is prioritizing investment in adjacent technologies, such as electrical balance-of-system solutions, with the expectation that these new offerings will drive a significant portion of future revenue. CEO Dan Shugar stated that in five years, one-third of revenue could come from non-tracker sources.
• Margin headwinds from investment: CFO Chuck Boynton outlined that higher operating and capital expenditures—particularly to scale recent acquisitions and develop new products—will weigh on EBITDA margins in the near term. The company expects structural gross margins to remain in the low-30% range, but operating margins will be influenced by both investments and geographic revenue mix.
• Policy and market risks: Management identified evolving U.S. policy, including tax credit provisions and tariffs, as risk factors for future results. They noted that much of the coming year’s business is already contracted, which limits near-term downside but leaves future periods exposed to potential regulatory shifts.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace of integration and revenue contribution from recent acquisitions such as Bentek, (2) signs of sustained demand for new product offerings like TrueCapture and Hail Pro, and (3) regulatory developments affecting domestic content requirements and tax credit incentives in the U.S. The durability of margins amid international expansion and investment will also be closely tracked.

Nextracker currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14.9×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

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