Q1 EPS Estimates for First Solar Reduced by Zacks Research

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for First Solar in a note issued to investors on Thursday, November 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings per share of $3.45 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $3.46. 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 Q2 2026 earnings at $4.68 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.82 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.26 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $22.21 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $5.35 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $8.04 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $28.92 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of First Solar to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Susquehanna upped their price target on First Solar from $273.00 to $285.00 in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on First Solar from $240.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Roth Capital set a $300.00 price objective on First Solar in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on First Solar from $225.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $269.79.

First Solar Trading Down 2.4%

NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $245.84 on Friday. First Solar has a 12 month low of $116.56 and a 12 month high of $281.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.51. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $236.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $195.67.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $4.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.32 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.56 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 28.95% and a return on equity of 15.57%. First Solar’s quarterly revenue was up 79.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.91 earnings per share. First Solar has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-15.000 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in First Solar by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,721,979 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $3,026,108,000 after purchasing an additional 464,130 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of First Solar by 2.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,326,082 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $881,680,000 after buying an additional 111,927 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of First Solar by 0.9% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,857,848 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $471,927,000 after buying an additional 26,476 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of First Solar by 17.2% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,765,303 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $349,617,000 after acquiring an additional 405,457 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of First Solar by 32.3% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,427,500 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $306,909,000 after acquiring an additional 592,444 shares during the period. 92.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Paul H. Stebbins sold 7,000 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.40, for a total value of $1,836,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 15,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,011,308.80. The trade was a 31.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Georges Antoun sold 37,412 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.01, for a total value of $9,914,554.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,424 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,087,514.24. This represents a 70.81% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 48,912 shares of company stock valued at $12,971,349 over the last quarter. Company 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.