K2 Principal Fund L.P. Makes New Investment in First Solar, Inc. $FSLR

Key Points

• K2 Principal Fund acquired 23,500 First Solar shares worth approximately $5.5 million in the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 92.08% of FSLR, with several major funds increasing their positions.
• First Solar reported quarterly EPS of $3.92, beating the $2.90 consensus estimate, on revenue of $1.06 billion. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $264.44.
• Despite strong earnings and solar-demand prospects, changing U.S. tariffs and policies could affect future results, while a newly filed securities class-action lawsuit adds legal and sentiment risk.

K2 Principal Fund L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 23,500 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock, valued at approximately $5,545,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of FSLR. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in First Solar during the second quarter valued at $3,310,298,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in First Solar by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,919,991 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $761,396,000 after purchasing an additional 24,206 shares in the last quarter. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its stake in First Solar by 60.6% in the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 2,266,050 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $375,122,000 after purchasing an additional 854,919 shares in the last quarter. Amundi lifted its stake in First Solar by 9.4% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 2,215,461 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $578,791,000 after purchasing an additional 189,626 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of First Solar during the 4th quarter valued at about $392,040,000. Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company's stock.

First Solar Stock Up 1.0%

First Solar stock opened at $220.01 on Wednesday. The company's 50-day moving average price is $231.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $224.42. First Solar, Inc. has a twelve month low of $182.99 and a twelve month high of $320.95. The company has a market cap of $23.64 billion, a PE ratio of 13.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.76.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.90 by $1.02. The firm had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.06 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 32.47% and a return on equity of 18.02%. The business's revenue was down 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.18 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that First Solar, Inc. will post 17.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Solar

In other news, General Counsel Jason E. Dymbort sold 3,700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.38, for a total transaction of $922,706.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel owned 5,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,402,513.12. The trade was a 39.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Samantha L. Sloan sold 127 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.95, for a total value of $28,314.65. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 2,018 shares in the company, valued at $449,913.10. The trade was a 5.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 31,106 shares of company stock valued at $7,723,039. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FSLR has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Oppenheimer restated a "market perform" rating on shares of First Solar in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Susquehanna increased their price target on First Solar from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. HSBC raised First Solar from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on First Solar from $294.00 to $297.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on First Solar from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, First Solar has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $264.44.

Key Stories Impacting First Solar

Here are the key news stories impacting First Solar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: First Solar was highlighted among the stronger second-quarter renewable-energy performers. The company’s latest results included adjusted EPS of $3.92, well above the $2.90 consensus estimate, while its contracted backlog remains substantial. Q2 Earnings Outperformers: First Solar and the Rest of the Renewable Energy Stocks
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks identified FSLR as a strong momentum stock, which may support investor interest following its earnings outperformance and relatively attractive valuation metrics. Why First Solar Is a Strong Momentum Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and industry coverage continues to focus on strong solar demand, but changing U.S. policies, tariffs and import rules could affect pricing, customer decisions and First Solar’s 2026 earnings outlook. Solar Stocks to Watch as Policy Shifts Reshape the Industry
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional positioning was mixed: several large investors added FSLR shares in the second quarter, while others reduced holdings. Separately, unusually heavy put-option activity suggests increased hedging or bearish speculation, but does not establish the market’s future direction.
• Negative Sentiment: First Solar faces a securities class-action lawsuit filed in federal court. The complaint alleges that the company and certain executives made misleading statements regarding tariffs and production utilization during the February 26, 2025–February 24, 2026 class period. Multiple law firms are publicizing an August 24 lead-plaintiff deadline. The allegations have not been proven, but the litigation adds reputational, financial and sentiment risk. Pomerantz Announces First Solar Class Action
• Neutral Sentiment: An executive sold a small number of shares to cover tax withholding obligations related to vested equity awards. Because the sale was designated for taxes and represented only 127 shares, it is unlikely to be a major fundamental signal.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc NASDAQ: FSLR is a United States–based solar technology company best known for designing and manufacturing thin‑film photovoltaic (PV) modules that use cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductor technology. The company supplies PV modules and delivers integrated solar power solutions for utility‑scale projects, positioning itself as a provider of both components and complete solar energy systems rather than solely a parts supplier. First Solar was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

Beyond module manufacturing, First Solar offers a range of project services including development support, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and operations and maintenance (O&M) for large-scale solar installations.

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