Zacks Research Has Negative View of First Solar Q2 Earnings

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research reduced their Q2 2027 EPS estimates for shares of First Solar in a research report issued on Tuesday, July 1st. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings per share of $5.80 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $6.04. 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 FY2027 earnings at $27.07 EPS.

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

FSLR has been the topic of several other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of First Solar from $204.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of First Solar from $236.00 to $215.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on shares of First Solar from $230.00 to $205.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of First Solar from $267.00 to $240.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $200.00 price target (down from $245.00) on shares of First Solar in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.69.

First Solar Stock Performance

NASDAQ:FSLR traded down $7.97 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $177.06. 3,692,144 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,238,699. The company's 50 day moving average price is $157.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $154.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.06, a PEG ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.93 and a quick ratio of 1.39. First Solar has a 52-week low of $116.56 and a 52-week high of $262.72.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in First Solar by 138.9% in the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 172 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of First Solar during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new position in First Solar in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Colonial Trust Advisors bought a new position in shares of First Solar in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of First Solar by 591.9% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 256 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

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.