Suntech Announces Preliminary First Quarter 2010 Results

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, May 10 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), one of the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers, today announced preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2010.

Suntech expects total net revenues for the first quarter of 2010 to be in the range of $580 million to $590 million. Gross margin is expected to be in the range of 19% to 20%, compared to previous guidance of 18% to 20%.

As a result of the depreciation of the Euro versus the USD, Suntech expects to incur a foreign exchange loss of approximately $24 million to $25 million for the first quarter of 2010. This is expected to be partially off-set by a net gain of approximately $2 million to $3 million from hedging activities.

Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO said, "We are pleased to see extremely strong demand in the first quarter of 2010. With robust demand in incumbent solar markets and rapid growth in a host of emerging markets, we expect this environment to continue deep into 2010."

Amy Zhang, Suntech's Chief Financial Officer said, "In order to help mitigate the pressure of a weaker Euro we have increased the hedging coverage of our net Euro exposure to 50% in the second quarter and plan to increase to above 60% in the second half of the year."

The estimates presented in this press release are preliminary. Adjustments to the estimates and projections set forth in this press release may be identified as a result of, among other things, finalization of the Company's financial closing procedures for the first quarter of 2010. As such, these estimates and our expectations set forth herein may change materially.

Suntech will announce its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, before the U.S. market opens at 8a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, June 3, 2010. Dial in details for the conference call will be posted on the Investor Relations section of Suntech's website prior to the call.

About Suntech

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is one of the world's leading solar energy companies as measured by production output of crystalline silicon solar modules. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium quality, high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech offers an extensive range of customer-centric innovations, including Suntech's patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells, which improves power output by up to 12% compared to conventional production methods, the Reliathon(TM), the industry's first fully integrated utility-scale solar platform, and its broad range of building-integrated solar products.

Suntech designs and delivers commercial and utility scale solar power systems in China and the United States. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland and San Francisco and sales offices worldwide, Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements, and includes the Suntech's estimates for first quarter 2010 revenues, gross margin, foreign exchange loss and other income; and margins, foreign exchange losses and target hedging percentages in future quarters. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Suntech's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Suntech does not undertake any obligation to update any forward- looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

    For further information, please contact:

    In China:
     Rory Macpherson
     Investor Relations Director
     Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
     Tel:   +86-21-6288-5574
     Email: [email protected]

    In the United States:
     Kristen McNally
     Executive Vice President
     The Piacente Group, Inc. (Investor Relations Counsel, Suntech)
     Tel:   +1-212-481-2050
     Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.