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Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is a photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. With a market cap of $18.8 billion, 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.
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks", and First Solar fits this description perfectly. The company is one of the few U.S.-based names among the world's solar giants. FSLR focuses on sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly solar energy solutions.
First Solar currently trades 39.8% below its 52-week high of $290.90 recorded on June 14, 2024. FSLR's stock has gained 31.9% over the past three months, notably surpassing the Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 12.2% uptick during the same time frame.
In the long term, First Solar stock has declined marginally on a YTD basis, whereas the Nasdaq has increased marginally. Additionally, shares of FSLR plunged 39.9% over the past 52 weeks, notably underperforming NASX’s 9.8% returns over the same period.
First Solar’s stock has climbed above its 50-day moving average since early May. However, the stock has been trading mostly below its 200-day moving average since early November.
First Solar’s stock fell 8.3% in the trading session following the release of its weaker-than-expected Q1 2025 results on Apr. 29. The company reported net sales of $844.6 million, a 6.4% increase from the prior year quarter, but below Wall Street expectations. Meanwhile, EPS came in at $1.95 per share, marking an 11.4% decline from the year-ago quarter and falling short of the consensus estimate of $2.50.
The decline in share price was also driven by the company’s downward revision to its fiscal 2025 guidance. FSLR now expects full-year net sales to range between $4.5 billion and $5.5 billion, down from the prior guidance of $5.3 billion to $5.8 billion. EPS is projected to be in the range of $12.50 to $17.50, compared to the earlier range of $17 to $20.
Compared to its rival, Nextracker Inc. (NXT) has notably outpaced the FSLR stock. NXT stock has soared 66.2% on a YTD basis and rose marginally over the past 52 weeks.
Nevertheless, among the 31 analysts covering the FSLR stock, the consensus rating is a “Strong Buy.” Its mean price target of $210.31 suggests a 20% upside potential from current price levels.
