JPMorgan has overhauled its ratings for multiple U.S. solar stocks amid evolving market conditions and policy shifts, downgrading Enphase Energy (ENPH.US) and SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG.US) to "Neutral" while catapulting Sunrun (RUN.US) to its premier investment choice.
The investment bank slashed Enphase Energy's rating from "Overweight" to "Neutral," simultaneously reducing its price target from $64 to $37. This adjustment accounts for valuation pressures and margin compression stemming from the industry's accelerating shift toward third-party systems. Despite these challenges, JPMorgan maintains that Enphase warrants its valuation premium. The firm stands among the elite few upstream solar enterprises demonstrating consistent profitability, robust cash generation, and a net cash position.
Analyst Mark Strouse warned that recent U.S. residential solar market dynamics, influenced by the Inflation Reduction Act, may lack near-term catalysts. This environment could potentially undermine Enphase's market share and gross margins.
SolarEdge Technologies likewise tumbled from "Overweight" to "Neutral," with a $23 price target. The downgrade follows the stock's remarkable 34% surge this month. Still, Strouse emphasized SolarEdge's resilient positioning within the U.S. residential inverter market. The company benefits from the sector's pivot toward third-party ownership models and reduced competitive intensity under new foreign entity regulations.
Within residential solar, JPMorgan reserves its strongest endorsement for Sunrun, upholding an "Overweight" rating while boosting its target from $13 to $16. This optimism springs from heightened visibility in solar leasing and power purchase agreements. Such arrangements ensure Sunrun's qualification for the 48E tax credit through 2027 and storage incentives until 2032, cementing its financial advantage.
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