First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the thirty-five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twenty-seven have assigned a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $271.2654.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $279.00 target price on shares of First Solar in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. DZ Bank lowered First Solar from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of First Solar in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of First Solar from $201.00 to $244.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their price target on shares of First Solar from $150.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th.

First Solar Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of FSLR stock opened at $269.69 on Monday. First Solar has a 1-year low of $116.56 and a 1-year high of $285.99. The company has a market cap of $28.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.71, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.59. 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 stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $257.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $215.31.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.32 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.56 billion. First Solar had a return on equity of 16.61% and a net margin of 27.73%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 79.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.91 EPS. First Solar has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-15.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that First Solar will post 13.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Michael T. Sweeney sold 4,500 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.11, for a total transaction of $1,219,995.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 13,662 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,703,904.82. This trade represents a 24.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Paul H. Stebbins sold 7,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.40, for a total value of $1,836,800.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 15,287 shares in the company, valued at $4,011,308.80. This trade represents 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 valued at $12,971,349 in the last ninety days. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Solar

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in First Solar by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,287 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $504,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC increased its position in shares of First Solar by 2.6% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,879 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $414,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of First Solar by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC now owns 8,116 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $1,790,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Rathbones Group PLC lifted its holdings in shares of First Solar by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 4,930 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $1,087,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of First Solar by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 956 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $211,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.08% of the company’s stock.

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.