First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-eight analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $250.58.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on First Solar from $240.00 to $209.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of First Solar from $223.00 to $217.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Roth Mkm reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $280.00 target price on shares of First Solar in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Mizuho upgraded shares of First Solar from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $218.00 to $259.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded First Solar from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th.

First Solar Trading Up 10.5 %

FSLR opened at $135.35 on Wednesday. First Solar has a fifty-two week low of $116.56 and a fifty-two week high of $306.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.49 billion, a PE ratio of 11.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 1.44. The company's 50-day moving average is $134.91 and its 200 day moving average is $170.58.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 25th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.81 by ($1.16). The company had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.48 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 32.41% and a return on equity of 17.56%. As a group, research analysts predict that First Solar will post 13.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other First Solar news, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 21,542 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.09, for a total transaction of $3,039,360.78. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 103,403 shares in the company, valued at $14,589,129.27. This trade represents a 17.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Georges Antoun sold 229 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total value of $30,628.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 52,836 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,066,815. The trade was a 0.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,311 shares of company stock worth $4,767,158. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in First Solar in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Solar by 31.7% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 262 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar in the 1st quarter valued at about $51,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in First Solar during the 4th quarter valued at about $53,000. Finally, Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. bought a new position in First Solar during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. 92.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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