Zacks Research Predicts Increased Earnings for First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2025 earnings estimates for First Solar in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, July 1st. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings per share of $13.31 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $13.26. 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 $5.28 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $3.10 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.06 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.68 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $7.56 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $20.41 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $4.45 EPS.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $1.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.50 by ($0.55). The firm had revenue of $844.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $863.11 million. First Solar had a net margin of 29.72% and a return on equity of 16.32%. The business’s revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.20 earnings per share.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of First Solar from $204.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of First Solar from $236.00 to $215.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of First Solar from $275.00 to $200.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of First Solar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $157.00 to $192.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 11th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of First Solar from $251.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, First Solar currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $228.69.

First Solar Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $185.43 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $156.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $154.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.93 and a quick ratio of 1.39. First Solar has a 1 year low of $116.56 and a 1 year high of $262.72.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Michael Koralewski sold 2,951 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.21, for a total value of $466,877.71. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,369 shares in the company, valued at $1,798,689.49. The trade was a 20.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Patrick James Buehler sold 1,868 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.08, for a total transaction of $278,481.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 5,998 shares in the company, valued at approximately $894,181.84. The trade was a 23.75% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,376 shares of company stock valued at $2,227,172 over the last 90 days. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in First Solar by 31.7% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 262 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Independent Advisor Alliance lifted its holdings in First Solar by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 2,090 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $368,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. lifted its holdings in First Solar by 3.9% in the first quarter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. now owns 1,658 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $210,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in First Solar by 1.4% in the first quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 4,726 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $598,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in First Solar by 15.3% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 511 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company’s stock.

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.