Mizuho double downgrades Canadian Solar to sell on ‘overdone’ rally

Mizuho double downgraded Canadian Solar (CSIQ) to Underperform from Outperform with a price target of $21, up from $15. The stock’s recent rally reflects a higher growth multiple for Canadian Solar’s battery storage business and solar multiple expansion, the analyst tells investors in a research note. However, the firm says the impact of U.S. factory resolution remains uncertain. Mizuho points out the stock has rallied 108% in the last three months, outperforming peers, due to expectations for battery storage demand to meet load growth and solar multiples bottoming out. “This seems overdone,” the firm contends. It believes Canadian Solar’s U.S. expansion remains on track, but adds that its Foreign Entity of Concern compliance is still pending.