Key Points
- First Solar EVP Samantha Sloan sold 127 shares for approximately $28,315, reducing her holdings by 5.92%. The sale was made to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards and is not necessarily a bearish signal.
- First Solar reported quarterly EPS of $3.92, beating the $2.90 consensus estimate, while revenue totaled $1.06 billion. Analysts have a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $264.44.
- Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company, but First Solar faces uncertainty from changing U.S. solar policies, tariffs and a newly filed securities class-action lawsuit alleging misleading statements about tariffs and production utilization.
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) EVP Samantha Sloan sold 127 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.95, for a total value of $28,314.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 2,018 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $449,913.10. The trade was a 5.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards.
First Solar Stock Performance
Shares of First Solar stock opened at $220.01 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $23.64 billion, a PE ratio of 13.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.76. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $231.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $224.42. First Solar, Inc. has a 52-week low of $182.99 and a 52-week high of $320.95.
First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.90 by $1.02. The firm had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. First Solar had a return on equity of 18.02% and a net margin of 32.47%.The business's revenue was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.18 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that First Solar, Inc. will post 17.75 EPS for the current year.
Institutional Trading of First Solar
A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt bought a new position in shares of First Solar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $189,000. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of First Solar during the 2nd quarter worth about $4,019,000. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,220,000. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $16,708,000. Finally, United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in First Solar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $334,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company's stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho set a $324.00 target price on shares of First Solar in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $196.00 price objective on shares of First Solar in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Freedom Capital upgraded First Solar from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed a "market perform" rating on shares of First Solar in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Argus upped their target price on First Solar from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, First Solar currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $264.44.
Read Our Latest Report on First Solar
First Solar News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting First Solar this week:
- Positive Sentiment: First Solar was highlighted among the stronger second-quarter renewable-energy performers. The company’s latest results included adjusted EPS of $3.92, well above the $2.90 consensus estimate, while its contracted backlog remains substantial. Q2 Earnings Outperformers: First Solar and the Rest of the Renewable Energy Stocks
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks identified FSLR as a strong momentum stock, which may support investor interest following its earnings outperformance and relatively attractive valuation metrics. Why First Solar Is a Strong Momentum Stock
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and industry coverage continues to focus on strong solar demand, but changing U.S. policies, tariffs and import rules could affect pricing, customer decisions and First Solar’s 2026 earnings outlook. Solar Stocks to Watch as Policy Shifts Reshape the Industry
- Neutral Sentiment: Institutional positioning was mixed: several large investors added FSLR shares in the second quarter, while others reduced holdings. Separately, unusually heavy put-option activity suggests increased hedging or bearish speculation, but does not establish the market’s future direction.
- Negative Sentiment: First Solar faces a securities class-action lawsuit filed in federal court. The complaint alleges that the company and certain executives made misleading statements regarding tariffs and production utilization during the February 26, 2025–February 24, 2026 class period. Multiple law firms are publicizing an August 24 lead-plaintiff deadline. The allegations have not been proven, but the litigation adds reputational, financial and sentiment risk. Pomerantz Announces First Solar Class Action
- Neutral Sentiment: An executive sold a small number of shares to cover tax withholding obligations related to vested equity awards. Because the sale was designated for taxes and represented only 127 shares, it is unlikely to be a major fundamental signal.
About First Solar
(
Get Free Report)
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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