Zacks Research Forecasts Stronger Earnings for First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Zacks Research raised their FY2025 EPS estimates for First Solar in a report released on Tuesday, September 23rd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings of $14.41 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $14.35. 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 Q4 2025 earnings at $5.49 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $7.96 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $21.50 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $27.71 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Glj Research reissued a “buy” rating and set a $214.06 target price (up from $172.53) on shares of First Solar in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of First Solar from $203.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of First Solar from $185.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of First Solar from $188.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of First Solar from $194.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, First Solar currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.80.

First Solar Trading Down 1.6%

NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $215.73 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $193.72 and a 200-day moving average of $163.08. The company has a market cap of $23.14 billion, a PE ratio of 18.45, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.40. First Solar has a one year low of $116.56 and a one year high of $262.72.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 28.95% and a return on equity of 15.57%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.25 earnings per share. First Solar has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.500-16.500 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FSLR. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new position in shares of First Solar during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of First Solar during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of First Solar by 126.9% during the 2nd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 152 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC bought a new position in shares of First Solar during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in First Solar by 138.9% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 172 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at First Solar

In related news, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 23,912 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.47, for a total transaction of $4,434,958.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 87,978 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,317,279.66. This trade represents a 21.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Nathan B. Theurer sold 686 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.03, for a total transaction of $124,872.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,315 shares of company stock valued at $6,021,305 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.48% of the company’s stock.

About First Solar

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.