First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) Shares Gap Down Following Weak Earnings

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)’s share price gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $243.21, but opened at $197.54. First Solar shares last traded at $210.05, with a volume of 3,720,027 shares changing hands.

The solar cell manufacturer reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.22 by ($0.38). The company had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.59 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 29.28% and a return on equity of 17.32%. First Solar’s quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.65 earnings per share.

First Solar News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Company delivered record 2025 profit and beat revenue for the quarter, showing solid underlying demand and profitability that supports a longer-term growth story. First Solar Sees Record 2025 Profit
• Positive Sentiment: Many firms kept Buy/Overweight ratings despite cutting targets, signaling continued analyst confidence in First Solar’s long-term positioning (onshoring, Series 6 capacity ramps). Goldman Sachs Adjusts First Solar Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry context: First Solar is increasing capacity as solar demand grows, which could support future revenue if demand/contracting recovers (comparison coverage vs. peers such as Enphase). First Solar vs. Enphase Energy
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and market commentary is mixed — some see this pullback as a buying opportunity if policy/tariff risks abate, while others remain cautious; investor views differ on timing. Seeking Alpha: Buy This Weakness
• Negative Sentiment: Management issued 2026 net sales guidance materially below Street expectations (guidance ~ $4.9B–$5.2B), which is the primary driver of today’s selloff. What’s Going On With First Solar Stock Today?
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed consensus (reported $4.84 vs. est. $5.22), reinforcing near-term concerns about profitability and demand visibility despite revenue beat. Q4 Earnings Miss
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple brokerages lowered price targets and a few cut ratings as tariff/policy uncertainty and near-term backlog declines weigh on visibility — amplifying selling pressure. JPMorgan Lowers Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Investor legal/activism risk flagged: Pomerantz announced an investigation into First Solar investor claims, which can add short-term uncertainty and news-driven volatility. Pomerantz Investor Alert

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Evercore lifted their target price on First Solar from $240.90 to $241.00 in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on First Solar from $289.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of First Solar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $300.00 to $245.00 in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of First Solar from $330.00 to $300.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of First Solar from $316.00 to $300.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $257.91.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Aventura Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of First Solar during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC acquired a new position in First Solar during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Solar in the second quarter worth $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of First Solar by 117.0% in the fourth 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of First Solar by 69.4% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 183 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. 92.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

First Solar Stock Down 4.8%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 2.67 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $243.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $235.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.60.

About First Solar

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.