Bernstein Maintains Bearish Stance on Premier and Waaree Energies Despite Calling Them 'Good Companies'
Bernstein maintains its bearish outlook on Premier Energies and Waaree Energies despite calling them good companies, citing oversupply concerns and soft demand expectations. The brokerage cut Premier's price target to ₹718.00 from ₹780.00 while marginally raising Waaree's to ₹2,109.00. Both stocks declined significantly on January 5, 2026, with Premier down 7.00% and Waaree down 5.40%. Bernstein expects margin compression from Q3 FY26 and anticipates utility-scale demand only from FY 2028-2029, contrary to market expectations of mid-FY 2027.

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Shares of both Premier Energies and Waaree Energies declined significantly on January 5, 2026, following Bernstein's reiteration of its bearish stance on both solar companies. Despite acknowledging them as "good companies," the brokerage firm maintains concerns about the sector's near-term prospects.
Price Target Revisions and Market Performance
Bernstein's latest note included mixed price target adjustments for both companies:
| Company | Previous Target | Revised Target | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Energies | ₹780.00 | ₹718.00 | -₹62.00 |
| Waaree Energies | ₹2,087.00 | ₹2,109.00 | +₹22.00 |
The market reaction was swift, with both stocks experiencing significant declines:
| Stock | Current Price | Decline |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Energies | ₹787.00 | 7.00% |
| Waaree Energies | ₹2,712.40 | 5.40% |
Oversupply and Demand Concerns
Bernstein's bearish thesis centers on anticipated oversupply in the solar sector. The brokerage believes that despite Premier and Waaree being fundamentally sound companies, they cannot justify higher multiples on peak margins when a significant supply wave is expected within 12-18 months.
The firm highlighted two key concerns:
- Supply Wave Impact: A major supply increase expected in the next 12-18 months
- Soft Demand Story: Market underestimating potential demand weakness
Timeline Expectations and Margin Compression
Bernstein's outlook differs significantly from market consensus regarding demand recovery timing. The brokerage expects solar additions to moderate and anticipates demand for domestic cells from utility scale players to emerge only from FY 2028-2029, contrary to market expectations of mid-FY 2027.
The firm warned that margin compression signs for these companies will become visible from Q3 FY26 results, suggesting near-term pressure on profitability.
Analyst Coverage and Recent Developments
Despite Bernstein's bearish stance, both companies maintain relatively positive analyst coverage:
Premier Energies (12 analysts):
- Buy: 6 analysts
- Hold: 2 analysts
- Sell: 4 analysts
Waaree Energies (13 analysts):
- Buy: 9 analysts
- Sell: 4 analysts
Meanwhile, Waaree Energies announced that its subsidiary, Waaree Energy Storage Solutions, completed a major funding round worth ₹1,003.00 crore from strategic investors, family offices, and high networth individuals, demonstrating continued investor interest despite sector concerns.
Historical Stock Returns for Premier
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +4.81% | 0.0% | +3.39% | -21.59% | -20.37% | -41.90% |












































