First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Updates FY 2025 Earnings Guidance

Key Points

• First Solar updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance, projecting an EPS of 13.500-16.500 and revenue of $4.9 billion-$5.7 billion, both figures slightly below consensus estimates.
• Barclays and Goldman Sachs recently adjusted their price targets for First Solar; Barclays lowered its target from $236 to $204, while Goldman Sachs increased its target from $204 to $255.
• Insider transactions revealed a significant decrease in ownership, with employees selling a total of 15,976 shares valued at over $2.5 million in the last ninety days.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 13.500-16.500 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 14.906. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.9 billion-$5.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $5.0 billion.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays reduced their price objective on First Solar from $236.00 to $204.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on First Solar from $204.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on First Solar from $186.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Wall Street Zen downgraded First Solar from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on First Solar from $275.00 to $200.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $225.73.

First Solar Stock Performance

First Solar stock traded down $4.40 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $174.73. 3,494,069 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,862,021. The firm has a market cap of $18.74 billion, a PE ratio of 14.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.52. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $164.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $153.47. First Solar has a twelve month low of $116.56 and a twelve month high of $262.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.93.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.55. First Solar had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 29.72%. Equities analysts predict that First Solar will post 13.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at First Solar

In other First Solar news, insider Patrick James Buehler sold 1,600 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total value of $288,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 4,398 shares in the company, valued at $791,640. The trade was a 26.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Michael Koralewski sold 2,951 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.21, for a total value of $466,877.71. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,369 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,798,689.49. This represents a 20.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 15,976 shares of company stock valued at $2,515,172. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

An institutional investor recently raised its position in First Solar stock. Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) by 40.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,044 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock after purchasing an additional 2,615 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP's holdings in First Solar were worth $1,143,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. 92.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc, a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, Japan, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with a thin film semiconductor technology that provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules.

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