Q1 EPS Estimates for First Solar Cut by Zacks Research

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for First Solar in a research report issued on Tuesday, March 18th. Zacks Research analyst A. Dutta now forecasts that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings of $2.37 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $3.78. 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 Q3 2025 earnings at $5.00 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $6.27 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $17.81 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.82 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $6.43 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $7.71 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.48 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $25.44 EPS.

FSLR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Truist Financial reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $285.00 target price (down from $300.00) on shares of First Solar in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $265.00 price objective on shares of First Solar in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of First Solar from $282.00 to $268.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Barclays reduced their price objective on First Solar from $273.00 to $236.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $230.00 target price (down from $260.00) on shares of First Solar in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $262.08.

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First Solar Stock Performance

Shares of First Solar stock traded down $2.50 on Friday, reaching $128.82. 3,863,241 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,580,341. First Solar has a 1-year low of $124.96 and a 1-year high of $306.77. The firm has a market cap of $13.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 2.14. The company's 50-day moving average is $155.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $187.25.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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). First Solar had a net margin of 32.41% and a return on equity of 17.56%. The business had revenue of $1.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.48 billion.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FSLR. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of First Solar by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC now owns 9,210 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $1,623,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Doliver Advisors LP lifted its stake in First Solar by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Doliver Advisors LP now owns 4,713 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $831,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in First Solar by 31.7% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 262 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Independent Advisor Alliance grew its stake in First Solar by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 2,090 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of First Solar by 15.3% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 511 shares of the solar cell manufacturer's stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 1,272 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.96, for a total value of $169,125.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 109,000 shares in the company, valued at $14,492,640. This trade represents a 1.15 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CTO Markus Gloeckler sold 380 shares of the business'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 $50,825.00. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 17,594 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,353,197.50. The trade was a 2.11 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 34,311 shares of company stock worth $4,767,158 in the last three months. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.