First Solar’s (FSLR) “Buy” Rating Reiterated at Argus

Argus restated their buy rating on shares of First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $275.00 price objective on the solar cell manufacturer’s stock.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on FSLR. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of First Solar from $300.00 to $310.00 in a report on Friday, May 1st. Weiss Ratings upgraded First Solar from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on First Solar from $217.00 to $197.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Robert W. Baird set a $318.00 price objective on First Solar and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on First Solar from $213.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $266.27.

First Solar Stock Performance

NASDAQ FSLR opened at $204.46 on Wednesday. First Solar has a one year low of $182.99 and a one year high of $320.95. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $223.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $223.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.75.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.90 by $1.02. First Solar had a net margin of 32.47% and a return on equity of 18.02%. The firm had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.18 earnings per share. First Solar’s revenue was down 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that First Solar will post 17.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CTO Markus Gloeckler sold 3,425 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.95, for a total transaction of $749,903.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 7,471 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,635,775.45. This trade represents a 31.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, General Counsel Jason E. Dymbort sold 3,700 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.38, for a total transaction of $922,706.00. Following the sale, the general counsel directly owned 5,624 shares in the company, valued at $1,402,513.12. This trade represents a 39.68% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 15,081 shares of company stock valued at $3,457,086 over the last ninety days. 0.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of First Solar

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FSLR. Reflection Asset Management bought a new stake in First Solar during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of First Solar in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of First Solar by 117.0% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 102 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of First Solar in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company’s stock.

First Solar News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting First Solar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BMO upgraded First Solar to Outperform and raised its price target to $263 from $237, implying substantial upside from the reference price. BMO reportedly believes the market reaction to the latest Section 232 tariff developments was overdone. BMO upgrades First Solar as tariff selloff looks overdone
• Positive Sentiment: Argus reiterated a Buy rating on First Solar, reinforcing the view that the company’s valuation and long-term growth prospects remain attractive despite recent volatility. Argus reiterates Buy rating for First Solar
• Positive Sentiment: A climate-finance expert said Wall Street may have misinterpreted the market’s response to the latest solar-tariff announcement, potentially easing concerns that trade policy will materially damage First Solar’s outlook. Wall Street misread the solar tariffs
• Positive Sentiment: An emergency order restricting certain foreign bulk-power-system equipment and software could benefit U.S. solar and energy-equipment manufacturers by supporting domestic suppliers, although the direct impact on First Solar is uncertain. Why solar stocks were rising overnight
• Neutral Sentiment: First Solar’s latest quarterly results exceeded earnings expectations, but revenue declined year over year, leaving investors focused on policy developments and future demand rather than the reported quarter.
• Negative Sentiment: Jim Cramer advised investors to stay away from First Solar, while Evercore ISI maintained an In-Line rating and trimmed its price target to $218, highlighting continued analyst disagreement and near-term uncertainty. Jim Cramer comments on First Solar

First Solar Company Profile

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.