Zacks Research Predicts Stronger Earnings for First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for First Solar in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, December 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the solar cell manufacturer will earn $8.92 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $8.26. 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 Q2 2027 earnings at $6.01 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.80 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $28.26 EPS.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on FSLR. Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of First Solar in a research note on Friday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of First Solar from $278.00 to $303.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. KeyCorp reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of First Solar in a research note on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $316.00 price target on shares of First Solar in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of First Solar from $215.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $270.73.

First Solar Stock Down 6.6%

Shares of NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $254.80 on Friday. First Solar has a 1 year low of $116.56 and a 1 year high of $281.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The business’s 50-day moving average is $250.79 and its 200-day moving average is $207.49. The company has a market capitalization of $27.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.59.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last released its 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 firm had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.56 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 27.73% and a return on equity of 16.61%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.91 EPS. First Solar’s quarterly revenue was up 79.7% on a year-over-year basis. First Solar has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-15.000 EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Solar during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC raised its position in First Solar by 126.9% in the second quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 152 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in First Solar in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in First Solar by 138.9% in the second quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 172 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of First Solar by 69.4% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 183 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.08% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Solar

In other news, insider Georges Antoun sold 37,412 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $265.01, for a total value of $9,914,554.12. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 15,424 shares in the company, valued at $4,087,514.24. This represents a 70.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Paul H. Stebbins sold 7,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.40, for a total transaction of $1,836,800.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 15,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,011,308.80. This trade represents a 31.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 48,912 shares of company stock worth $12,971,349. 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.