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    Brian LeeGoldman Sachs

    Brian Lee's questions to Fluence Energy Inc (FLNC) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Fluence Energy Inc (FLNC) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs inquired about the drivers for the lower implied Q4 gross margin, the margin outlook for the 2026 backlog, and the company's strategy for navigating Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions related to its AESC partnership.

    Answer

    President and CEO Julian Nebreda explained that Q4 margins are impacted by approximately $30 million in tariff costs on existing U.S. contracts. He stated that the 2026 backlog margin is in line with the 10-12% target. Regarding FEOC, Nebreda asserted that Fluence views the domestic content push as a confirmation of its strategy, not a threat, and is working with partners on compliance without needing to raise additional equity. CFO Ahmed Pasha confirmed the new 80-90% backlog coverage for future guidance is to ensure higher confidence.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Fluence Energy Inc (FLNC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. inquired about the specifics of the AESC capacity ramp, questioning how two 3.5 GWh lines result in 12 GWh of volume. He also asked about the economic viability of blending domestic and imported cells under high tariffs and the potential margin impact on the $700 million of delayed revenue once it is re-contracted.

    Answer

    CEO Julian Nebreda clarified that the 12 GWh figure is achieved by blending domestically produced cells with imported cells, assuming a 50/50 mix, to meet the 40% domestic content requirement for IRA incentives. CFO Ahmed Pasha added this allows them to sell more volume while giving customers the desired incentive. Nebreda stated that even with current high tariffs, this blended strategy is about 10% cheaper than using all-imported Chinese cells. He emphasized that the current issue is market uncertainty, not long-term viability, and that Fluence's contracts are structured to align interests with customers to find a profitable path forward once tariff clarity emerges.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Fluence Energy Inc (FLNC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the margin profile of new and delayed bookings, asking if the pressure is temporary or structural, and sought to understand the margin differences between U.S. and international markets.

    Answer

    President and CEO Julian Nebreda characterized the margin pressure as temporary, expecting the new product platform to restore margins to the mid-point of the 10-15% range in fiscal 2026. He confirmed competitive pressure is significantly stronger internationally, while U.S. margin impact is primarily from a $10 million tariff hit.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Fluence Energy Inc (FLNC) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the fiscal 2025 revenue guidance, asking why fiscal 2024 missed its initial midpoint and what provides confidence this won't recur. He also asked for the geographic mix of late-stage deals and the reason for a wider gross margin guidance range.

    Answer

    President and CEO Julian Nebreda stated that a key difference for FY25 is a $1.5 billion pipeline of contracts in late-stage negotiations, providing a clearer path to the target. CFO Ahmed Pasha added that this pipeline is split evenly between the U.S. and Asia. Regarding the 10-15% gross margin range, Pasha explained it is consistent with prior long-term guidance and will be updated as more contracts are signed.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Array Technologies Inc (ARRY) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Array Technologies Inc (ARRY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs asked if the updated revenue guidance was driven more by volume or price, and questioned if the implied second-half gross margin represents a sustainable run-rate into 2026.

    Answer

    CFO Keith Jennings clarified the revenue guidance increase was approximately 80% volume-driven. He confirmed no further legacy VCA shipments in 2025 and suggested the implied H2 2025 gross margin of 29-30% is a reasonable baseline for H1 2026. CEO Kevin Hostetler added that tariff pass-throughs create a 'denominator math' drag on the margin percentage.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Array Technologies Inc (ARRY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked about the impact of rising steel prices on Q3 and Q4 results and whether recent price increases are reflected in new bookings. He also inquired about the forward momentum for bookings, given the solid Q1 performance despite industry uncertainty.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hostetler confirmed that higher steel prices are translating to higher ASPs in new bookings, but the P&L impact won't be significant until Q4 2025 or 2026. Regarding momentum, he said it's 'too early to tell,' as high quoting activity is hampered by customer uncertainty around non-tracker component costs and the IRA, which could lead to a lull in bookings before a sharp acceleration once clarity is achieved.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Array Technologies Inc (ARRY) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs asked for several numerical clarifications, including the expected gross margin trajectory for 2025, the gross bookings number versus the net, and the amount of 'go-get' business assumed in the annual guidance.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hostetler clarified that Q1 gross margin would be in the mid-20s before stabilizing higher, with the dip caused by a low-margin legacy contract. He stated the 'go-get' assumption in the 2025 forecast is conservatively below 10%. While declining to give a gross bookings figure, he noted that de-bookings from Brazil in Q4 exceeded $50 million.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Array Technologies Inc (ARRY) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the composition of the "strong double-digit growth" outlook for 2025, seeking details on the U.S. versus international mix and pricing assumptions. He also asked if the Q4 2024 gross margin run rate is representative of 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Kevin Hostetler declined to provide specific 2025 guidance but reiterated that the growth is visible in the existing backlog with consistent price points from recent bookings. He clarified that the expected sequential dip in Q4 2024 gross margin is an anomaly caused by a single, large, low-margin VCA project from 2021 and is not representative of the run rate for 2025.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Nuscale Power Corp (SMR) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Nuscale Power Corp (SMR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs asked for an update on the RoPower project timeline, which appears delayed, and whether securing a U.S. customer by year-end is still the target. He also inquired where NuScale is best positioned to benefit from recent presidential executive orders.

    Answer

    President & CEO John Hopkins confirmed the RoPower project's final notice to proceed is now projected for late 2026. He reiterated that NuScale is still forecasting to have 'hard contracts' in place with U.S.-based customers by the end of 2025. Regarding executive orders, he stated the main benefit for NuScale would be a streamlined process for construction and operations licenses, enabling quicker deployment.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Solaredge Technologies Inc (SEDG) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Solaredge Technologies Inc (SEDG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for a breakdown of the expected revenue growth drivers in the Q3 guidance between the U.S. and European markets. He also questioned the implied gross margin leverage, asking about the drop-through rate and current factory utilization levels.

    Answer

    CFO Asaf Alperovitz explained that U.S. growth is driven by the TPO shift and C&I opportunities, while European growth depends on market share gains offsetting a weak macro environment. He quantified the fixed cost infrastructure in COGS at approximately $90-95 million, stating that higher revenue improves absorption of these costs, which is the primary driver of margin leverage.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Solaredge Technologies Inc (SEDG) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for an explanation for the lower ASP per watt despite higher megawatt shipments in Q1 and sought an outlook for ASPs for the rest of the year. He also requested details on the company's battery strategy, including the Samsung NMC contract and future LFP sourcing plans.

    Answer

    CFO Asaf Alperovitz attributed the Q1 ASP and volume dynamic to a higher-than-usual amount of deferred revenue from shipment timing, but did not provide forward-looking ASP guidance. CEO Yehoshua Nir reiterated that the company does not break down tariff impacts by product and that the supply chain team is focused on finding the best sourcing solutions for all components, with the provided margin guidance reflecting this holistic effort.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Solaredge Technologies Inc (SEDG) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked about SolarEdge's free cash flow outlook for Q1 and the full year 2025, the strategy for its upcoming debt maturity, and the timeline for aligning sell-in revenue with the higher sell-through rate.

    Answer

    CFO Ariel Porat confirmed expectations for positive free cash flow in Q1 and for the full year 2025 but did not provide specific figures. He reiterated the plan to pay the zero-coupon convertible debt from the balance sheet. CEO Yehoshua Nir added that the gap between sell-in and sell-through is due to European channel inventory, which he expects to normalize by the end of Q2 2025, at which point revenues should converge with demand.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Solaredge Technologies Inc (SEDG) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. inquired about the impact of recent steep price reductions on the company's previous 2025 revenue outlook, the expected cadence of revenue recovery into 2025, and the role of market share loss in recent performance declines.

    Answer

    Interim CEO Ronen Faier responded that market volatility, particularly in Europe and the post-election U.S., makes it difficult to commit to the previous $550 million revenue target for late 2025. He clarified that Q1 is not expected to be lower than Q4, anticipating stabilization or an increase as price reductions take effect. Faier noted it's hard to distinguish between market share loss and overall market contraction in Europe but expects channel clearing to accelerate due to the new pricing.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Sunrun Inc (RUN) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Sunrun Inc (RUN) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs questioned the drivers behind the significant increase in net value creation guidance and why it wasn't translating to a higher cash generation outlook for the year. He also asked about the financing needs for the ITC safe harbor plan.

    Answer

    CFO Danny Abajian attributed the higher value creation to increased volume, a richer product mix with higher battery attachment, and significant cost efficiencies. He explained the cash generation outlook remains the same due to working capital investments, like inventory, and timing in capital markets, with cash flow expected to be back-half weighted.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Sunrun Inc (RUN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee inquired about Sunrun's sourcing strategy amid new tariffs, questioning the second-half 2025 impact on the gap between aggregate subscriber value and contracted net value creation, and the timeline for closing this gap.

    Answer

    CFO Danny Abajian confirmed the tariff impact is weighted to the second half of the year as safe-harbored inventory is used. He clarified that current guidance includes these costs but excludes potential mitigating actions like price increases or go-to-market adjustments. Abajian also noted that the trend of onshoring manufacturing and the potential for tariff reductions could offset some of the impact.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Sunrun Inc (RUN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked how 'derisked' Sunrun's 2025 cash generation guidance is following the recent election, focusing on the potential impact to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its associated Investment Tax Credit (ITC) adders. He also inquired about the drop in the pro forma asset-level cost of capital to 7.1% in Q3 and the outlook for 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Mary Powell stated that an outright repeal of the IRA is 'highly unlikely,' citing bipartisan support for residential solar and historical precedent. She expressed strong confidence in the 2025 cash generation guidance. CFO Danny Abajian added that the guidance is based on a 45% weighted average ITC and that current financing is funding against all adders. Regarding capital costs, he explained the 7.1% rate in Q3 was due to a temporary dip in base rates, and the current mark-to-market rate is back around the 7.5% assumed for 2025.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Shoals Technologies Group Inc (SHLS) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Shoals Technologies Group Inc (SHLS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs questioned the drivers behind the increased revenue guidance and asked why the adjusted EBITDA guidance was not also raised, probing into the impact of product mix, gross margins, and operating expenses.

    Answer

    CEO Brandon Moss attributed the revenue strength to winning new customers rather than project pull-ins. CFO Dominic Bardos explained that margins were impacted by promotional pricing used to attract a diverse customer mix, some of whom use lower-margin solutions. He also noted that elevated legal expenses related to ongoing litigation are affecting operating expenses.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Shoals Technologies Group Inc (SHLS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs asked for a quantitative assessment of competitors' exposure to China tariffs and market share, and questioned how customer conversations reflect Shoals' U.S. manufacturing advantage. He also requested a bridge from current gross margins back to the company's long-term 40%+ target.

    Answer

    CEO Brandon Moss emphasized Shoals' long-standing investment in U.S. manufacturing, positioning the company favorably against competitors with import exposure, but stressed that customer engagement is driven by service improvements, not just tariffs. CFO Dominic Bardos explained the path to higher margins involves improved product and customer mix, contributions from new accretive products, and internal efficiencies, while also noting a focus on total operating profit dollars.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Shoals Technologies Group Inc (SHLS) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs asked for the specific drivers behind the projected 40/60 first-half/second-half revenue split for 2025. He also inquired about the margin drivers for the second half, particularly the contribution from new products and markets.

    Answer

    CFO Dominic Bardos attributed the unusual seasonality to a declining backlog in 2024, normal Q1 winter effects, and project timing being skewed to the latter half of the year. CEO Brandon Moss explained that second-half margin expansion will be driven by significant operating leverage from higher volumes and a favorable mix from new, accretive products in the CC&I, OEM, and BESS segments.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Shoals Technologies Group Inc (SHLS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for clarification on the ITC patent case timeline and review deadline, and inquired about the momentum of bookings in the fourth quarter.

    Answer

    CEO Brandon Moss confirmed the ITC review deadline was imminent but stated a review would not be unusual, expressing confidence in the final outcome. CFO Dominic Bardos noted that Q4 bookings had started strong, with record quoting activity and new customer wins following the initial ITC ruling, suggesting sustained momentum.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Universal Display Corp (OLED) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Universal Display Corp (OLED) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the full-year revenue guidance, which implies a flat second half despite a strong first half, and asked about seasonality. He also probed into China's strong Q2 performance, asking about potential inventory build-up and pull-forward from Q3.

    Answer

    CFO Brian Millard acknowledged the strong first half but noted the full year is tracking to original plans, leading to a raised lower-end of guidance. He mentioned some tariff-related buying in Q2 was mostly an intra-quarter pull-in. He reiterated that Chinese customer ordering patterns are historically variable and that they have limited inventory visibility but are receiving consistent forecasts.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Universal Display Corp (OLED) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the timeline for the commercialization of phosphorescent blue, asking for clarity on the "months, not years" phrasing. He also inquired about the expected revenue seasonality for 2025 and the current status of customer inventory levels.

    Answer

    CFO Brian Millard clarified that the "months, not years" delay for blue phosphorescent commercialization is measured from the end of 2024. He also stated that the 2025 revenue plan anticipates a stronger second half, though macro uncertainties could alter this. Millard noted that customer inventory levels currently appear normal.

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    Brian Lee's questions to First Solar Inc (FSLR) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to First Solar Inc (FSLR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs inquired about the recent surge in bookings, specifically the 2+ gigawatts in July, and the drivers behind the increased pricing of $0.32-$0.33 per watt, asking if it was due to trade policy, FIOC rules, or domestic content demand.

    Answer

    CEO Mark Widmar explained that the recent bookings were driven by a combination of factors, including customers needing to safe harbor projects for 2029-2030 delivery and replacing volume from a Chinese supplier who had reneged on a commitment. He stated that First Solar is still in a 'price discovery' phase but is encouraged by the momentum and sees potential for further price increases.

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    Brian Lee's questions to First Solar Inc (FSLR) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee sought clarity on the guidance strategy, asking if the high-end forecast assumes First Solar absorbs the 10% tariff on Southeast Asian modules or passes it on. He also asked about the assumed volume from U.S. finishing capacity this year and the potential timeline and cost to expand it.

    Answer

    CFO Alex Bradley clarified that the high-end guidance currently models First Solar absorbing the 10% tariff cost for simplicity, but the actual strategy will involve negotiations with customers. CEO Mark Widmar added that some U.S. finishing is already occurring this year and could be expanded. He estimated a 9-12 month timeline to establish a new finishing line once a decision is made, but that decision is gated by the outcome of the budget reconciliation process.

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    Brian Lee's questions to First Solar Inc (FSLR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee inquired about the 2025 guidance, questioning its dependency on selling unsold international volume and the potential for customers to 'safe harbor' modules amid policy uncertainty.

    Answer

    CEO Mark Widmar explained that while many customers have already safe-harbored projects, the current policy uncertainty discourages further immediate action. CFO Alex Bradley clarified the 18-20 GW shipment guidance includes a 1.4 GW dependency on new book-and-bill sales for international product and noted the year is back-end loaded, adding risk. Mark Widmar added that the risk of selling the India-specific volume is low due to market mechanics.

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    Brian Lee's questions to First Solar Inc (FSLR) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs asked about the future production mix of the India facility between the U.S. and domestic markets, the timeline to reallocate that volume, and the level of risk associated with the record-high implied Q4 sold volume guidance.

    Answer

    Executive Mark Widmar explained that re-tooling the India factory for U.S. tracker products is a nimble process, taking only a few days. He anticipates most India production will ship to the U.S. in the near term. Regarding Q4 guidance, he acknowledged risks but stated the company is enforcing contracts and shipping to warehouses if customers face delays. Executive Alexander Bradley added that the ramp of new CuRe technology and potential external events like weather pose additional risks to achieving the high Q4 volume target.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Cameco Corp (CCJ) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Cameco Corp (CCJ) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs inquired about the drivers of the strong EBITDA in the uranium segment, specifically the low-cost inventory drawdown, and asked about the gating factors for new nuclear projects to reach FID.

    Answer

    Executive VP & CFO Grant Isaac attributed the performance to Cameco's strategic supply discipline. SVP & Deputy CFO Heidi Shockey added that a significant portion of higher-cost purchased pounds are expected in the second half of the year, which will balance out the unit cost. On new projects, President & CEO Tim Gitzel noted overwhelming global interest, while Grant Isaac highlighted that Central and Eastern European nations have an advantage due to state support, identifying standardization and sequencing as the keys to success.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Hayward Holdings Inc (HAYW) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Hayward Holdings Inc (HAYW) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for clarification on the updated revenue guidance, questioning if the raised lower end was due to a better volume outlook despite a lower net price forecast. He also sought to quantify the potential gross margin leverage from improved factory utilization and cost mitigation efforts.

    Answer

    President and CEO Kevin Holleran confirmed the assumption was accurate, stating that with less pricing being implemented, the company assumes stronger volume performance, now expected to be down only about 1% versus a previous 2.5% estimate. SVP & CFO Eifion Jones explained that a 10% increase in top-line revenue typically yields about 1% of gross margin leverage and that the company targets a minimum of 25 basis points of margin improvement annually from operational initiatives, though this is not always linear.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Nextracker Inc (NXT) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Nextracker Inc (NXT) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs sought confirmation of quarter-over-quarter backlog growth, implying bookings near $1 billion, and asked about any customer pauses or pull-forwards due to policy uncertainty. He also questioned the significant increase in the IRA 45X credit's impact on gross margin.

    Answer

    President Howard Wenger confirmed the backlog grew for the 15th consecutive quarter and characterized project timing shifts as normal operational course of business. CFO Chuck Boynton explained the higher 45X impact included a one-time 150 basis point benefit from historical vendor reconciliations. He guided for the 45X benefit to be 9-10% of total revenue going forward, driven by strong demand for U.S. products.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Nextracker Inc (NXT) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee requested a breakdown of the fiscal 2026 revenue guidance by new products and pricing, and an explanation for the implied year-over-year decline in EBITDA margin guidance.

    Answer

    CEO Dan Shugar deferred a detailed product revenue breakdown to the upcoming Analyst Day. CFO Chuck Boynton explained that fiscal 2026 is a year of investment for multi-year growth, with increased OpEx and CapEx. He characterized the guided low 30s gross margin and low 20s EBITDA margin as a good baseline for running the business, following a 'stellar' fiscal 2025 that benefited from several tailwinds.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Nextracker Inc (NXT) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked if the U.S. market is growing faster than expected, whether this is driven by market share gains, and if the 75% U.S. revenue mix is expected to hold into the next year.

    Answer

    Howard Wenger, President, explained that the typical mix is 60-70% U.S., indicating that both domestic and international segments are growing. He confirmed strong U.S. demand with record bookings but noted that market share data lags significantly, making it difficult to monitor accurately in real-time. He affirmed the company feels it is performing well in the marketplace.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Nextracker Inc (NXT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs asked about the TrueCapture software business, inquiring about its attach rate, the quantifiable margin uplift it provides, and the primary reasons some customers choose not to adopt it.

    Answer

    CEO Dan Shugar explained that the attach rate for TrueCapture has increased significantly as markets mature and customers recognize its value. He noted revenue is recognized upon system commissioning, which caused a catch-up in Q2. CFO Chuck Boynton added that while software has a high gross margin, it comes with higher R&D OpEx, which the company is increasing to drive future value.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Veralto Corp (VLTO) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Veralto Corp (VLTO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked about the conservative margin outlook despite positive drivers like pricing and sales, and questioned the performance of the PQI segment in Western Europe.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Sameer Ralhan attributed the cautious margin guidance to tariff fluidity and built-in assumptions for Q4 investments. President and CEO Jennifer Honeycutt explained that PQI's sequential dip in Europe was due to equipment sale timing and that year-to-date growth remains a strong 6%.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Veralto Corp (VLTO) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked about the expected cadence of price increases throughout the year and whether the company is seeing any real-time demand slowdown or customer pushback due to tariff-related pricing.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Sameer Ralhan stated that April order patterns appear normal with no signs of a slowdown or pull-forward. He confirmed that pricing will likely move toward the higher end of their historical 1-2% range but emphasized it is only one of three mitigation levers, alongside manufacturing and supply chain adjustments. He noted that all potential impacts on volume are reflected in the low-to-mid-single-digit core growth guidance.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Veralto Corp (VLTO) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee requested a breakdown of the 350 basis point sequential margin contraction in the PQI segment and asked about the margin cadence for 2025, particularly the drivers behind the year-over-year decline guided for Q1.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Sameer Ralhan deconstructed the Q4 PQI margin decline into four factors: ~70 bps from TraceGains dilution, ~120+ bps from one-time cost optimization actions, increased R&D spending, and a higher mix of equipment sales. He clarified that for Q1, the one-time cost actions do not repeat, but ongoing TraceGains investment dilution and the equipment mix will continue to have an impact.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Veralto Corp (VLTO) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for quantification of the margin impact from rising PQI equipment sales and inquired about the on-the-ground situation in China, including the potential for a near-term recovery.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Sameer Ralhan indicated the equipment recovery would be gradual into 2025 and suggested looking at the 2019 margin mix as a reference point for the potential impact, which the company aims to mitigate with VES. President and CEO Jennifer Honeycutt stated China is 'bouncing along the bottom,' with modest recovery in PQI offset by challenges in Water Quality due to municipal funding and tough comps, with no overall improvement expected near-term.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee questioned the implementation timeline and potential incremental costs associated with Enphase's strategic initiatives, such as facilitating TPO financing for long-tail installers and lead generation. He also asked whether pricing actions would be part of the strategy to mitigate the expected 2026 market contraction.

    Answer

    President & CEO Badri Kothandaraman responded that he does not anticipate major changes to operating expenses to facilitate these initiatives, as they are designed to be lucrative for TPO partners. Regarding pricing, he emphasized that the company's strategy is rooted in innovation, not reactive price cuts. He explained that next-generation products like the fifth-gen battery and IQ9 microinverters will fundamentally lower costs and improve margins, providing flexibility for value-based pricing.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee asked about the outlook for battery shipment volumes in the second half of 2025, considering potential price increases from tariffs. He also sought more detail on the cadence of battery gross margin recovery to the ~35% target by Q2 2026.

    Answer

    President and CEO Badri Kothandaraman expressed confidence in continued battery shipment growth, noting the new 4th-generation battery's lower total installed cost will be a key driver. On margins, he reiterated the tariff impact would be 6-8% in Q3 but would gradually improve each subsequent quarter, reaching zero by Q2 2026 as the company transitions to non-China cell suppliers.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for clarification on the Q1 2025 guidance, specifically how to interpret the $50 million in safe harbor revenue and its impact on baseline revenue and seasonality. He also inquired about the growth outlook for battery storage, the transition to the fourth-generation battery, and expectations for sequential volume growth throughout 2025.

    Answer

    President and CEO Badrinarayanan Kothandaraman explained that the $95 million safe harbor deal should be viewed as approximately $12 million in core revenue per quarter over eight quarters. This adjustment aligns the Q1 guidance with a typical 15% seasonal decline. He confirmed ongoing discussions for more safe harbor deals. Kothandaraman also affirmed expectations for sequential battery growth in 2025, driven by the new 'FlexPhase' battery in Europe and the upcoming fourth-generation battery in the U.S., which features a smaller footprint and lower installation costs, with pilots beginning in March.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for a breakdown of the headwinds impacting the Q4 revenue guidance, specifically quantifying the effects of battery destocking, Europe's slowdown, and the SunPower bankruptcy.

    Answer

    President and CEO Badri Kothandaraman confirmed the SunPower bankruptcy represents a $10-15 million headwind for the quarter and acknowledged the impact of lower battery shipments post-restocking. He clarified that while there are no broad price increases, the new domestic content product has a price adder. He stated that an expected increase in microinverter sell-through should offset these headwinds, resulting in a flat sequential revenue guide at the midpoint.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Pentair PLC (PNR) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Pentair PLC (PNR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. requested a breakdown of the raised Pool segment guidance, seeking to understand the contribution from pricing versus underlying volume demand. He also asked about the potential outlook for the 2026 pool construction cycle if interest rates remain elevated.

    Answer

    President and CEO John L. Stauch detailed that the 6-7% Pool guidance consists of roughly 2 points from acquisitions, 5 points from price, and a slight decline in volume. Regarding 2026, EVP and CFO Bob P. Fishman stated it was too early for a specific forecast but emphasized that the strategy remains focused on increasing product content per pool through innovation and automation, which is a key growth lever independent of new construction rates.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Pentair PLC (PNR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for clarification on the pricing assumption within the 2025 Pool segment outlook. He also questioned whether potential tariffs on EU competitors could create a market share opportunity for Pentair, depending on how the global tariff situation unfolds.

    Answer

    CFO Bob Fishman clarified that the pricing assumption for the Pool segment is 1.5% to 2%, consistent with the overall company guidance. President and CEO John Stauch deemed it difficult to speculate on hypothetical market share shifts from potential EU tariffs but emphasized that as a large global player, Pentair has the manufacturing footprint and capabilities to react accordingly to any changes in the trade landscape.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Tyler Bisset, on behalf of Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs, asked for details on the tariff assumptions embedded in the updated 2025 storage volume guidance and the pricing differentials for flexible sourcing options. He also inquired about expectations for shipment growth in China for the next year.

    Answer

    President of CSI Solar Yan Zhuang explained the 7-9 GWh storage guidance range already incorporates various tariff uncertainties. Chairman and CEO Dr. Shawn Qu added that significant sourcing flexibility from non-China suppliers will be available in 2026, causing some customers to defer 2025 deliveries. Regarding China, Yan Zhuang expects a weak second half of 2025 pending policy clarification but anticipates healthy demand for high-quality storage projects next year.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. followed up on margins, asking for quantification of the AD/CVD tariff impact in Q1 and its expected level by year-end. He also questioned the apparent shift in e-STORAGE margin targets from ~20% to mid-teens and inquired about the cash implications of retroactive AD/CVD tariffs.

    Answer

    CFO Xinbo Zhu noted that higher U.S. prices partially offset tariffs, keeping module margins stable. CEO Shawn Qu explained the e-STORAGE margin outlook was adjusted due to new 25% tariffs on Chinese imports, which are being negotiated with customers. He also stated that AD/CVD deposits are booked as costs on the P&L, and the company awaits final rulings before knowing the full cash impact.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Mueller Water Products Inc (MWA) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Mueller Water Products Inc (MWA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Representing Brian Lee, an analyst asked about future capital expenditure needs now that the new foundry is online and whether customers are delaying projects due to tariff-related cost uncertainty.

    Answer

    Paul McAndrew, President and COO, explained that as a vertically integrated company, CapEx is expected to remain in the 3% to 4% of sales range to maintain its iron foundries and fund ongoing improvement projects. CEO Marietta Zakas added that while municipal end-market demand remains resilient for Q3, the company sees potential uncertainty for the residential construction market in Q4 due to broader inflation concerns.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Mueller Water Products Inc (MWA) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee from Goldman Sachs asked for more detail on the better-than-expected order levels, questioning the mix between inventory normalization and new organic demand. He also probed the drivers behind the low-to-mid-single-digit pricing outlook.

    Answer

    CEO Marietta Zakas attributed the strong orders to normalized lead times for key products. President and COO Paul McAndrew noted that channel inventories are at normal levels, but lapping the prior year's service brass backlog reduction will be a headwind. Regarding pricing, Zakas clarified that the projected low-to-mid-single-digit realization is consistent with historical norms, outside of the recent period of exceptionally high inflation.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Mueller Water Products Inc (MWA) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee asked for a breakdown of the fiscal 2025 growth guidance between price and volume, and questioned when infrastructure spending might begin to appear in KPIs. He also sought clarity on the expected EBITDA cadence, particularly why the second half is expected to be stronger despite tougher comps.

    Answer

    CEO Marietta Zakas clarified the guidance includes carryover pricing and some volume growth, with potential infrastructure spending likely to first appear in specialty valve orders. She explained the stronger second-half EBITDA is driven by sales seasonality and manufacturing improvements, specifically the 80-100 basis point annualized margin benefit from the legacy brass foundry closure, which begins in H2. Additionally, cost headwinds from the Krausz facility will be more pronounced in H1 FY25 compared to the prior year.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Acuity Inc (AYI) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Acuity Inc (AYI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs requested more detail on typical customer behavior following price hikes and asked about the risk of customers delaying orders amid tariff uncertainty. He also inquired about the QSC integration progress and any visibility into cost or product synergies.

    Answer

    CEO Neil Ashe described the typical customer reaction to price increases as an acceleration of near-term orders to lock in costs, which he noted occurred with the last price hike. On the QSC integration, Ashe reported it is exceeding expectations, with enablement functions mostly integrated, leading to margin opportunities. He emphasized that while teams are exploring synergies, new joint offerings will be pulled by the market rather than pushed by the company.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Acuity Inc (AYI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs & Company asked about the performance and outlook for the independent sales network channel, which returned to growth. He also questioned the fiscal 2025 margin outlook, observing that gross margins appear flat and asking if future leverage will primarily come from OpEx to meet the 50-100 basis point annual operating margin expansion target.

    Answer

    Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and CEO, highlighted the power of the independent sales network, which constitutes about 60% of the Lighting business and is performing consistently. Regarding margins, he affirmed that strong gross margin performance is expected to continue, and the 50-100 bps annual operating profit margin improvement target will be achieved through a mix of both gross margin expansion and OpEx leverage. He noted that some technology investments that boost gross margin are recorded in SG&A.

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    Brian Lee's questions to Xylem Inc (XYL) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to Xylem Inc (XYL) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee of Goldman Sachs inquired about the drivers behind the lower free cash flow conversion expected in 2025 and the path back to the long-term target. He also asked about the company's exposure to potential tariffs.

    Answer

    CFO William Grogan identified three main factors impacting 2025 free cash flow: cash outlays for the restructuring program, capital for large build-on-operate projects, and system investments. Regarding trade, CEO Matthew Pine and CFO Grogan stated they expect no material impact from tariffs, as they affect only 5% of material costs. They confirmed that mitigation efforts, including pricing actions and supply chain diversification, are already underway.

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    Brian Lee's questions to JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (JKS) leadership

    Brian Lee's questions to JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (JKS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Brian Lee requested the free cash flow and CapEx numbers for Q3 and sought an update on the company's planned GDR listing in Frankfurt, including expected proceeds, dilution, timeline, and use of funds.

    Answer

    Haiyun Cao, CFO of JinkoSolar Co., Ltd., provided full-year 2024 estimates of approximately RMB 9 billion in CapEx and RMB 5 billion in operating cash flow. Regarding the GDR listing, he detailed plans to raise roughly RMB 4.5 billion with 5-6% dilution, expecting completion in Q2 of the following year. The proceeds are designated for the Shanxi factory, working capital, and U.S. capacity expansion.

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