Zacks Research Has Weak Outlook for First Solar Q1 Earnings

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of First Solar in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, November 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the solar cell manufacturer will post earnings of $3.45 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $3.46. 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 2026 earnings at $4.68 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.82 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.26 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $22.21 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $5.35 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $8.04 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $28.92 EPS.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.32 by ($0.08). First Solar had a net margin of 28.95% and a return on equity of 15.57%. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.56 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.91 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 79.7% compared to the same quarter last year. First Solar has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-15.000 EPS.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group increased their price objective on First Solar from $275.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Susquehanna increased their price target on First Solar from $273.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Roth Capital set a $300.00 price objective on First Solar in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of First Solar from $201.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their target price on shares of First Solar from $287.00 to $289.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $269.79.

First Solar Stock Performance

Shares of FSLR stock opened at $249.91 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $237.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $197.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.82 billion, a PE ratio of 21.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. First Solar has a 52 week low of $116.56 and a 52 week high of $281.55.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Solar

In other First Solar news, insider Georges Antoun sold 37,412 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $265.01, for a total transaction of $9,914,554.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,087,514.24. This trade represents a 70.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Paul H. Stebbins sold 7,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.40, for a total transaction of $1,836,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 15,287 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,011,308.80. The trade was a 31.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 48,912 shares of company stock worth $12,971,349 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.48% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of First Solar by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 38,762 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $4,901,000 after purchasing an additional 2,519 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC purchased a new stake in First Solar in the first quarter valued at approximately $202,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS lifted its stake in First Solar by 11.3% in the first quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 91,400 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $11,556,000 after buying an additional 9,300 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of First Solar by 5.8% in the first quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 3,186 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $403,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the period. Finally, Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its position in shares of First Solar by 95.0% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 3,114 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $394,000 after acquiring an additional 1,517 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.08% 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.