Zacks Research Boosts Earnings Estimates for First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of First Solar in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, June 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings per share of $3.05 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $3.04. 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 Q1 2027 earnings at $3.89 EPS.

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

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on FSLR. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on First Solar from $237.00 to $214.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on First Solar from $253.00 to $202.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $265.00 price target on First Solar in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on First Solar from $282.00 to $268.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on First Solar from $200.00 to $187.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $229.19.

First Solar Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of FSLR opened at $143.67 on Thursday. First Solar has a 52-week low of $116.56 and a 52-week high of $268.12. The business’s fifty day moving average is $149.44 and its 200-day moving average is $158.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.93. The firm has a market cap of $15.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.22, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.53.

Institutional Trading of First Solar

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new stake in First Solar in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new stake in First Solar in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Colonial Trust Advisors bought a new stake in First Solar in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its position in First Solar by 591.9% in the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 256 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in First Solar by 31.7% in the 4th 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 in the last quarter. 92.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CTO Markus Gloeckler sold 9,557 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.05, for a total value of $1,481,812.85. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 8,037 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,246,136.85. The trade was a 54.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Patrick James Buehler sold 1,868 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.08, for a total value of $278,481.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $894,181.84. The trade was a 23.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 14,376 shares of company stock valued at $2,227,172 in the last ninety days. 0.48% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.