SFE Investment Counsel Makes New $14.82 Million Investment in First Solar, Inc. $FSLR

Key Points

• SFE Investment Counsel bought 62,790 First Solar shares worth approximately $14.82 million, making the company 2% of its portfolio and its 13th-largest holding.
• Institutional investors own 92.08% of First Solar. The company exceeded quarterly earnings expectations with EPS of $3.92 versus the $2.90 consensus, although revenue fell 3.4% year over year to $1.06 billion.
• Analysts maintain a broadly positive outlook, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $261.79 versus the stock’s reported $225.56 price. Insiders have sold about $7.7 million of shares over the past 90 days, primarily through pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans.

SFE Investment Counsel purchased a new stake in First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 62,790 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock, valued at approximately $14,816,000. First Solar makes up about 2.0% of SFE Investment Counsel's portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest holding. SFE Investment Counsel owned approximately 0.06% of First Solar at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of FSLR. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in First Solar by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,919,991 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock valued at $761,396,000 after purchasing an additional 24,206 shares during the last quarter. Viking Global Investors LP grew 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 buying an additional 854,919 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 189,626 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of First Solar in the 4th quarter worth $392,040,000. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group raised its position in shares of First Solar by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,427,105 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock valued at $372,803,000 after buying an additional 100,908 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company's stock.

First Solar Stock Performance

FSLR stock opened at $225.56 on Friday. First Solar, Inc. has a 52 week low of $179.06 and a 52 week high of $320.95. The firm's fifty day moving average is $233.60 and its 200 day moving average is $224.87. The firm has a market cap of $24.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.75.

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

Insider Transactions at First Solar

In related news, insider Michael Koralewski sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.51, for a total transaction of $1,550,570.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 7,642 shares in the company, valued at $1,692,779.42. This represents a 47.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 4,815 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $247.43, for a total value of $1,191,375.45. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 89,033 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,029,435.19. The trade was a 5.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 30,979 shares of company stock valued at $7,694,724. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $229.00 price objective (down from $249.00) on shares of First Solar in a report on Friday, July 31st. Guggenheim increased their target price on First Solar from $279.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on First Solar from $230.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Barclays lifted their price target on First Solar from $213.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $261.79.

More First Solar News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird upgraded First Solar to Outperform and established a $318 price target. The firm said a Section 232 tariff decision removes a key overhang and could allow customers to resume bookings, improving the company’s outlook. First Solar Upgraded at Robert W. Baird
• Positive Sentiment: Solar power generated more electricity than wind globally for the first time last year and nearly matched nuclear generation. The milestone supports the broader growth case for solar manufacturers such as First Solar, although it does not represent a company-specific earnings update. Solar Power Hits Big Milestone, Trumping Wind For First Time
• Neutral Sentiment: First Solar’s general counsel sold 3,700 shares worth approximately $922,706 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The transaction reduced his holdings by about 40%, but the planned nature of the sale limits its value as a signal about management’s current expectations. Jason Dymbort Sells First Solar Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms are publicizing a securities class action against First Solar and certain officers. The alleged class period is February 26, 2025, through February 24, 2026, and investors have until August 24, 2026, to seek lead-plaintiff status. The notices allege securities-law violations and investor losses related to disclosures concerning tariffs and company guidance; the allegations have not been proven. Pomerantz First Solar Class Action Filing

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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