First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Reaches New 52-Week High – Here’s Why

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)’s share price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $287.65 and last traded at $290.5120, with a volume of 293674 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $273.67.

First Solar News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: GLJ Research upgraded First Solar to Buy from Hold and raised its price target, giving traders a fresh catalyst and helping fuel the latest jump in shares. First Solar (FSLR) Shares Skyrocket, What You Need To Know
• Positive Sentiment: Investor interest is being boosted by expectations for potential U.S. trade-policy developments, including a possible Section 232 backdrop that could support domestically produced solar modules and improve pricing power for First Solar. First Solar shares jump as investors bet on favorable U.S. trade-policy backdrop and extend post-earnings momentum
• Positive Sentiment: The stock is also benefiting from post-earnings momentum, a breakout to fresh highs, and broader enthusiasm for solar names tied to rising AI data-center electricity demand. Solar Stocks To Watch As AI Drives Energy Demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple recent articles note that First Solar is breaking out and attracting momentum traders, which can amplify moves as investors chase strength. Stock Market Today: Indexes Rise On U.S.-Iran Deal Hopes; Snowflake Surges, First Solar Breaks Out (Live Coverage)
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains supportive overall, with a recent consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” reinforcing a constructive longer-term view. First Solar, Inc. Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the rally, insider activity has shown heavy selling over the past six months, which may temper enthusiasm for some investors. First Solar shares jump as investors bet on favorable U.S. trade-policy backdrop and extend post-earnings momentum

Analyst Ratings Changes

FSLR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on First Solar from $286.00 to $303.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Argus boosted their price objective on First Solar from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. HSBC boosted their target price on shares of First Solar from $211.00 to $231.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of First Solar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 28th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of First Solar from $320.00 to $253.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $247.40.

First Solar Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $32.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $213.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $231.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 2.56 and a quick ratio of 2.15.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.87 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.03 billion. First Solar had a return on equity of 18.01% and a net margin of 30.73%.The business’s revenue was up 23.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.95 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that First Solar, Inc. will post 17.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Solar

In other news, General Counsel Jason E. Dymbort sold 9,022 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.62, for a total transaction of $1,800,971.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel owned 9,850 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,966,257. This represents a 47.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Mark R. Widmar sold 9,926 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.21, for a total transaction of $2,314,842.46. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 95,148 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $22,189,465.08. This represents a 9.45% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 97,827 shares of company stock valued at $20,006,930. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aventura Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in First Solar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Reflection Asset Management bought a new position in First Solar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC bought a new position in First Solar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in First Solar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. 92.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.