KTF Investments LLC Makes New Investment in First Solar, Inc. $FSLR

Key Points

• KTF Investments LLC purchased a new position of 58,985 First Solar shares (~$15.41M) in Q4, making the stock 2.5% of KTF’s holdings and representing roughly 0.05% of First Solar’s shares.
• First Solar’s latest quarter showed an EPS miss of $4.84 versus $5.22 expected, but revenue beat at $1.68B (up 11.1% YoY) with a strong net margin of 29.28% and ROE of 17.32%.
• Insiders sold a total of 76,562 shares (~$15.04M) last quarter, including sales by the CEO and general counsel, while analysts hold a consensus Moderate Buy rating with an average target of $243.49 amid mixed price‑target revisions.

KTF Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 58,985 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock, valued at approximately $15,409,000. First Solar comprises 2.5% of KTF Investments LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. KTF Investments LLC owned approximately 0.05% of First Solar at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aventura Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the fourth quarter worth approximately $47,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the third quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of First Solar by 41.7% during the fourth quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 204 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company's stock.

First Solar Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of FSLR stock opened at $197.48 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.67, a quick ratio of 2.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The stock has a market cap of $21.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.61. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $200.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $232.47. First Solar, Inc. has a 1 year low of $119.09 and a 1 year high of $285.99.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.22 by ($0.38). The company had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.59 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 29.28% and a return on equity of 17.32%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.65 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that First Solar, Inc. will post 17.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, General Counsel Jason E. Dymbort sold 9,022 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.62, for a total value of $1,800,971.64. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel directly owned 9,850 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,966,257. The trade was a 47.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 1,937 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.80, for a total value of $388,949.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 102,798 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $20,641,838.40. This trade represents a 1.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 76,562 shares of company stock valued at $15,042,232 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.39% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on FSLR. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and set a $205.00 price objective (down from $264.00) on shares of First Solar in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on First Solar from $252.00 to $237.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 20th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on First Solar from $275.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Glj Research cut First Solar from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $314.43 to $207.82 in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on First Solar from $286.00 to $303.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, First Solar presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $243.49.

First Solar Company Profile

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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