Zacks Research Boosts Earnings Estimates for First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) - Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for First Solar in a report released on Wednesday, June 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the solar cell manufacturer will earn $3.05 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $3.04. The consensus estimate for First Solar's current full-year earnings is $13.05 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for First Solar's Q1 2027 earnings at $3.89 EPS.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on FSLR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on First Solar from $282.00 to $268.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Wolfe Research raised First Solar from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $221.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on First Solar from $236.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $280.00 price objective on shares of First Solar in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut First Solar from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $229.19.

First Solar Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of First Solar stock opened at $143.67 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.93 and a quick ratio of 1.39. The company has a market capitalization of $15.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.53. The business has a 50-day moving average of $149.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $158.09. First Solar has a 1 year low of $116.56 and a 1 year high of $268.12.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $1.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.50 by ($0.55). First Solar had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 29.72%. The business had revenue of $844.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $863.11 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.20 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Patrick James Buehler sold 1,868 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.08, for a total transaction of $278,481.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,998 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $894,181.84. This trade represents a 23.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CTO Markus Gloeckler sold 9,557 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.05, for a total value of $1,481,812.85. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 8,037 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,246,136.85. The trade was a 54.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 14,376 shares of company stock valued at $2,227,172 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of First Solar

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in First Solar during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in First Solar during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in First Solar by 591.9% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 256 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Colonial Trust Advisors bought a new position in First Solar during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in First Solar during the 1st quarter worth $45,000. 92.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First Solar Company Profile

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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