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. It designs, manufactures, and sells cadmium telluride solar modules that converts sunlight into electricity. The company's residual business operations include project development activities, operations and maintenance services, and the sale of PV solar power systems to third-party customers. It serves developers and operators of systems, utilities, independent power producers, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners. The company was formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to First Solar, Inc. in 2006. First Solar, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

First Solar, Inc. демонстрирует сильные финансовые показатели, включая высокий уровень чистой прибыли и операционной прибыли, значительно превышающий медиану отрасли. Мультипликатор P/E ниже медианы, что указывает на возможную недооцененность, однако высокие значения P/S и P/FCF сигнализируют о переоцененности компании. Рентабельность активов (ROA) и собственного капитала (ROE) значительно выше средних значений по отрасли, что свидетельствует о высокой эффективности управления. Долговая нагрузка компании остается низкой, что минимизирует финансовые риски. Тем не менее, уровень валовой маржи ниже медианы, что может вызывать опасения относительно будущей прибыльности. Дивиденды не выплачиваются, что может ограничивать интерес со стороны инвесторов, ориентирующихся на доходность. В целом, позитивные аспекты, такие как рост выручки и прибыли, указывают на устойчивый рост, однако высокие мультипликаторы и низкая валовая маржа требуют осторожности при оценке компании.

First Solar, Inc.

Key Points
GE Vernova's backlog grew by $31.2 billion in 2025.
First Solar's revenue jumped up $1 billion in 2025 compared to the year prior.
In a battle between two clean energy giants, which stock is better for long-term investors right now: GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) or First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)?
GE Vernova benefits from AI demand
GE Vernova had an excellent 2025, led by $59.3 billion in orders, $38.1 billion in revenue, and $31.2 billion in backlog growth. Artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial electrification are the main reasons behind the company's surge, and that doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
For 2026, GE Vernova raised its guidance, now anticipating revenue of $44 billion to $45 billion led by its power and electrification divisions. The only thing holding GE Vernova back is its lagging wind business. Wind is expected to lose revenue again in 2026 and experience $400 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) losses.
GE Vernova should continue to see stellar growth through 2028. The company recently doubled its dividend to $0.50 and authorized additional share repurchases.
First Solar had a sunny year
First Solar's stock recently declined, but it is still up 50% over the past 12 months. The solar company had a solid 2025 with a 24% increase in third-party module volume. This unit growth resulted in a billion-dollar increase in net sales, from $4.2 billion in 2024 to $5.2 billion in 2025.
First Solar has an exceptionally strong balance sheet compared to solar competitors. The company maintains a strong cash position compared to a very manageable debt load.
The biggest challenge for First Solar is its 2026 guidance. The company anticipates flat growth, which has investors and analysts concerned. Governmental policy risk weighs on First Solar as the window for federal clean energy tax credits was shortened by the Trump administration's "big, beautiful bill."
The winner of the battle royale
GE Vernova is the stronger growth stock right now. While demand for solar remains high, the shift in government policy is a real challenge. GE Vernova has the clearer growth path and is thus the winner of the battle royale.
Should you buy stock in GE Vernova right now?
Before you buy stock in GE Vernova, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and GE Vernova wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 15, 2026.
Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends First Solar and GE Vernova. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Battle Royale: GE Vernova vs. First Solar. Only One Can Make You Rich.

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released a blockbuster report on March 5, 2026. U.S. clean power installations surged to a record 50.3 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, reflecting a solid 3% rise from the prior year. This marks the first time annual deployment has crossed the 50 GW threshold, with solar, wind, and battery storage now accounting for over 90% of all new power capacity added to the U.S. grid.
For the past two years, the U.S. clean energy industry has navigated a "destitute condition," battered by unfavorable policy shifts and a pivot away from federal incentives that previously anchored renewable growth in the country.
Despite this hostile regulatory environment and the cooling of government support, this record-breaking installation data has thus thrust the industry back into the global spotlight, signaling a defiant resurgence.
For investors, this situation is likely to draw renewed attention to U.S. clean energy stocks and the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that hold them.
But before diving straight into the specifics of these ETFs, it is crucial to first dissect the forces that powered this record-breaking deployment and, more importantly, to assess whether this momentum can be sustained over the long term.
Driving Forces Behind the Record Capacity Additions
The primary engine behind this 50 GW threshold last year was a massive acceleration in electricity demand, driven largely by the explosion of AI-integrated data centers and the broader electrification of the economy across diverse industries. This demand surge created an urgent need for new power generation, and clean energy emerged as the fastest and most affordable solution to connect to the grid.
Furthermore, the 2025 boom reflects a "catch-up" period for projects that were previously snarled in supply chain bottlenecks.
It is also imperative to mention that this huge deployment boom has necessitated managing the intermittency of renewables, in making wind and solar more reliable. As a result, battery storage led the charge with a staggering 41% year-over-year jump in installations, exceeding 2024 levels by nearly 4 GW. This surge in storage capacity was not merely a supporting act; it was the critical enabler that allowed the broader clean energy industry to integrate its record-breaking volume of new solar and wind generation into the grid seamlessly.
What Lies Ahead for Green Energy?
The record 2025 installations are more than just a headline. They establish a powerful foundation for future profitability. The sheer scale of newly operational assets—enough to power 6.9 million homes—is likely to generate solid revenues for renewable developers and project owners through long-term power purchase agreements or merchant market sales. Since high demand for power is keeping energy prices firm, clean energy developers and project owners are expected to enjoy better margins.
On the other hand, for companies within the clean energy supply chain, from panel manufacturers to integrators, this deployment volume should translate to stronger order books and improved earnings visibility.
However, this growth story is more nuanced than it appears on the surface. Alongside ACP’s report of a record 50GW being added to the U.S. grid last year, a recent Bloomberg report highlights that nearly 60GW of capacity remains stalled due to interconnection delays and permitting hurdles. This massive "under-construction" pipeline, or in other terms, a solid backlog for the industry, suggests that the 50GW figure isn't just a one-time spike, but likely the beginning of a sustained deployment cycle as companies fight to clear the backlog.
This operational success, along with the projects in the pipeline, is expected to attract capital back to the clean energy industry that was previously beaten down by policy fears and thereby regain investor confidence in its long-term profitability.
Green ETFs to Watch
Considering the aforementioned discussion, the following clean energy ETFs appear well-positioned to capture the industry’s solid momentum:
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF ICLN
This fund, with net assets worth $2.04 billion, offers exposure to 100 companies that produce energy from solar, wind, and other renewable sources. Its top three holdings are Bloom Energy BE (9.68%), a California -based fuel cell technology proprietor, Nextpower NXT (8.83%)- a California-based smart solar tracker manufacturer, and First Solar FSLR (6.07%), an Arizona-based prominent solar panel producer. Geographically, the United States holds the top position in this fund, with 39.9% weightage.
ICLN has surged 55% over the past year. The fund charges 39 basis points (bps) as fees. It traded at a good volume of 3.88 million in the last trading session.
ALPS Clean Energy ETF ACES
This fund, with net assets worth $111.2 million, offers exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector, including renewables and clean technology. Its top three holdings include Albemarle Corp. (6.76%), a North Carolina-based supplier of critical lithium compounds used in energy storage batteries; Enphase Energy ENPH (6.72%), a California-based leading manufacturer of solar microinverters that also provides energy storage management solutions; and NXT (5.84%). Geographically, the United States holds the top position in this fund, with 85.4% weightage.
ACES has soared 38.4% over the past year. The fund charges 55 bps as fees. It traded at a volume of 0.05 million in the last trading session.
Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF PBW
This fund, with a market value worth $492.4 million, offers exposure to 63 stocks of companies that are publicly traded in the United States and engaged in the business of advancing cleaner energy and conservation. Its top three holdings are Amprius Technologies (3.00%), a California-based high-power lithium-ion batteries manufacturer; Darline Ingredients (2.65%), a Texas-based leader in converting waste fats, oils, and greases into sustainable, low-carbon renewable diesel and aviation fuel; and BE (2.47%). Geographically, the United States holds the top position in this fund, with 74.5% weightage.
PBW has rallied 88.8% over the past year. The fund charges 64 bps as fees. It traded at a volume of 0.67 million in the last trading session.
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy ETF QCLN
This fund, with net assets worth $533.3 million, offers exposure to 49 clean energy companies publicly traded in the United States, which are engaged in manufacturing, development, distribution & installation of emerging clean-energy technologies, including, but not limited to, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and advanced batteries. Its top three holdings are BE (11.55%), ON Semiconductor (8.77%), an Arizona-based company that provides power semiconductors to enable efficient energy conversion, storage, and management in solar PV, wind, and electric vehicles (EV); and Tesla TSLA (8.19%), a Texas-based EV maker.
Geographically, the United States holds a major position in this fund.
QCLN has rallied 55% over the past year. The fund charges 56 bps as fees. It traded at a volume of 0.14 million in the last trading session.
Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights
Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week.
Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!
Get it now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN): ETF Research Reports
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Green ETFs to Watch as US Clean Power Adds Record 50GW in 2025

Among the underlying components of the Russell 3000 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in First Solar Inc (Symbol: FSLR), where a total of 13,697 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 1.4 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 46.1% of FSLR's average daily trading volume over the past month of 3.0 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $185 strike put option expiring March 06, 2026, with 1,553 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 155,300 underlying shares of FSLR. Below is a chart showing FSLR's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $185 strike highlighted in orange:
Applied Materials, Inc. (Symbol: AMAT) options are showing a volume of 35,458 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 3.5 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 42% of AMAT's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 8.4 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $500 strike call option expiring March 20, 2026, with 3,078 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 307,800 underlying shares of AMAT. Below is a chart showing AMAT's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $500 strike highlighted in orange:
And Bank of America Corp (Symbol: BAC) saw options trading volume of 184,804 contracts, representing approximately 18.5 million underlying shares or approximately 41.3% of BAC's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 44.7 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $35 strike call option expiring March 20, 2026, with 15,840 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.6 million underlying shares of BAC. Below is a chart showing BAC's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $35 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for FSLR options, AMAT options, or BAC options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
WSTL market cap history
EAST shares outstanding history
WHR shares outstanding history
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable Thursday Option Activity: FSLR, AMAT, BAC

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Fidelity Value Factor ETF (Symbol: FVAL) where we have detected an approximate $210.1 million dollar outflow -- that's a 15.7% decrease week over week (from 18,500,000 to 15,600,000). Among the largest underlying components of FVAL, in trading today Berkshire Hathaway Inc New (Symbol: BRK.B) is up about 0.6%, First Solar Inc (Symbol: FSLR) is up about 2.8%, and Skyworks Solutions Inc (Symbol: SWKS) is lower by about 1.3%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the FVAL Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of FVAL, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, FVAL's low point in its 52 week range is $51.5832 per share, with $74.6423 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $72.95. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
Top Stocks Held By Jeremy Grantham
WSH Options Chain
RAAX Average Annual Return
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy ETF Outflows: FVAL, BRK.B, FSLR, SWKS

Shares of First Solar Inc. FSLR slumped 12.7% in the after-hours trading session on Feb. 24, 2026 (as cited in Seeking Alpha), after the company released mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results. The solar panel manufacturer once again failed to beat analysts’ expectations for its earnings. Its revenue guidance for 2026 also lagged Wall Street’s estimates.
Despite lagging the earnings estimate, FSLR managed to beat its top-line estimate for the fourth quarter.
However, the pullback in the solar panel maker’s share price following the fourth-quarter results reflects investor skepticism surrounding its poor earnings performance, while its weak sales guidance also does not seem very assuring of any near-term recovery as unfavorable U.S. tariff policies continue to cloud the clean energy industry’s prospects.
Considering this, one must remain mindful of the fact that FSLR remains the largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States, and against this backdrop, investors who are still interested in gaining exposure to this stock may want to focus on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are heavily exposed to First Solar.
But before identifying those ETFs, it is worth first taking a closer look at the specific numbers behind First Solar's disappointing quarterly report and the cloudy guidance that is weighing on its near-term prospects.
Brief Analysis of FSLR’s Q4 Results
First Solar’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.3%, while revenues beat the consensus mark by 7%. On a year-over-year basis, its top and bottom lines improved by double-digit percentages.
A double-digit sales volume increase of solar modules was the primary driver behind its stellar year-over-year performance in the fourth quarter.
Factors like a higher mix of U.S.-manufactured modules benefiting from Section 45X tax credits, lower non-standard freight charges due to reduced international shipments and the resolution of the glass supply-chain disruption experienced in the third quarter at FSLR’s Alabama facility boosted the company’s quarterly gross profit.
The company ended the fourth quarter with a net cash balance worth $2.4 billion, which represented an increase of $0.9 billion from the prior quarter.
FSLR expects to generate revenues of $4.9-$5.2 billion in 2026, the midpoint of which is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.08 billion. The lower end of the company’s guidance indicates a year-over-year deterioration of 5.8%.
To this end, it is imperative to mention that First Solar expects a direct financial hit of up to $135 million in 2026 due to new tariffs and is strategically idling its Southeast Asian factories to navigate this uncertain trade environment. Despite these costs, the company believes its status as a domestic manufacturer will ultimately be an advantage, as competitors tied to Chinese supply chains face even steeper risks from retroactive taxes and stricter legal enforcement.
First Solar-Heavy ETFs in Focus
Invesco Solar ETF TAN
This fund, with a market value worth $1.57 billion, provides exposure to 30 companies from the solar energy industry. Of these, First Solar takes the fourth spot, holding 6.69% of the fund.
TAN has gained 14.7% year to date and charges 70 basis points (bps) in fees.
Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF VCLN
This fund, with net assets worth $5.7 million, provides exposure to companies involved in clean energy innovation and commercialization across the utility, industrial, technology and energy sectors. First Solar takes the third spot in VCLN’s holdings, comprising 5.69% of the fund.
VCLN has rallied 10.9% year to date and charges 59 bps in fees.
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF ICLN
This fund, with net assets worth $2.14 billion, offers exposure to 100 companies that produce energy from solar, wind and other renewable sources. Of these, First Solar takes the third spot, holding 6.06% of the fund.
ICLN has risen 11.6% year to date and charges 39 bps in fees.
Global X CleanTech ETF CTEC
This fund, with net assets worth $27.9 million, offers exposure to 38 companies that are involved in renewable energy production, energy storage, smart grid implementation, residential/commercial energy efficiency, and/or the production and provision of pollution-reducing products and solutions. Of these, First Solar takes the seventh spot, holding 4.49% of the fund.
CTEC has rallied 11.3% year to date and charges 50 bps in fees.
Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights
Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week.
Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!
Get it now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN): ETF Research Reports
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

ETFs in Focus Post First Solar's Q4 Earnings Miss, Weak Sales View

Key Points
First Solar continues to churn out profits, but are they sustainable.
Nearly all of the company's profit comes from subsidies, which may not be durable for investors.
First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) continues to churn out profitable quarters, but the company is playing a dangerous game with subsidies. Most of its gross profit comes from government subsidies, which may not last. And even with those subsidies, the company's backlog isn't growing as you may expect. In this video, I go over both the numbers and the precarious position First Solar has gotten itself into going all-in on the U.S. solar market.
*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Feb. 25, 2026. The video was published on March 1, 2026.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Should you buy stock in First Solar right now?
Before you buy stock in First Solar, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and First Solar wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $519,015!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,086,211!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 941% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 2, 2026.
Travis Hoium has positions in First Solar. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends First Solar. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

First Solar's $2 Billion Problem

In trading on Wednesday, shares of First Solar Inc (Symbol: FSLR) crossed below their 200 day moving average of $214.01, changing hands as low as $196.45 per share. First Solar Inc shares are currently trading off about 14.8% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performance of FSLR shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, FSLR's low point in its 52 week range is $116.5625 per share, with $285.99 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $205.27. The FSLR DMA information above was sourced from TechnicalAnalysisChannel.com
Free Report: Top 8%+ Dividends (paid monthly)
Click here to find out which 9 other stocks recently crossed below their 200 day moving average »
Also see:
Institutional Holders of GOOY
SHPW market cap history
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding TRMR
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FSLR Crosses Below Key Moving Average Level

Key Points
First Solar saw strong growth in 2025, but 2026 doesn't look so great.
Analysts expected another big year after record sales of $5.2 billion in 2025.
Disappointing guidance is sinking the stock today.
Shares of solar panel manufacturer First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) are tanking today. The company ended the year strong, but management disappointed investors with guidance for 2026.
First Solar stock tanked nearly 20% on the news, and remained down by 15.2% as of 10:41 a.m. ET.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Growing domestic supply
First Solar's fourth-quarter report wasn't bad at all. It culminated a strong year for the company, with sales growing 24% to $5.2 billion. More good news from the company during the fourth quarter included the commissioning of a new manufacturing facility in Louisiana and plans for a new 3.7 gigawatt solar panel production facility in South Carolina.
That's about where the good news ended for investors, though. Guidance for 2026 implied no sales growth and possibly a decline in revenue. That was a severe disappointment, with analysts expecting about $6.2 billion in 2026 sales, according to FactSet Research.
Investors have been betting that First Solar's growing capacity will pay off. The stock soared last year, and remains 35% higher over the last 12 months, even after today's plunge. But guidance implying no sales growth isn't what investors wanted to see.
After a strong run in shares last year, it will likely take a beat on that 2026 guidance for First Solar shares to get another boost higher.
Should you buy stock in First Solar right now?
Before you buy stock in First Solar, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and First Solar wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $420,864!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,182,210!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 903% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 192% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 25, 2026.
Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends FactSet Research Systems and First Solar. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why First Solar Stock Slumped Today

First Solar, Inc. FSLR reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings of $4.84 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.22 by 7.2%. The bottom line increased 32.6% from the prior-year quarter’s figure of $3.65.
The company reported 2025 earnings of $14.21 per share, which were higher than the year-ago figure of $12.02.
FSLR’s Sales Update
First Solar’s fourth-quarter net sales were $1.68 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7%. The top line rose 11.1% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.51 billion.
The year-over-year top-line improvement was driven by an increase in the volume of module sales.
The company reported net sales of $5.22 billion in 2025, which were higher than $4.21 billion in 2024.
First Solar, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operational Highlights of FSLR
In the fourth quarter, the company’s gross profit was $665.3 million, which rose 17.2% from $567.7 million in the year-ago quarter.
Total operating expenses jumped 5.9% year over year to $117.4 million.
FSLR reported an operating income of $547.9 million compared with $456.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Performance of First Solar
First Solar had $2.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of Dec. 31, 2025, up from $1.62 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024.
The long-term debt totaled $282.6 million as of the same date compared with $373.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2024.
The net cash flow from operating activities amounted to $2.06 billion during 2025 compared with $1.22 billion at the end of 2024.
First Solar’s 2026 Guidance
First Solar introduced its 2026 guidance. FSLR expects its sales to be in the range of $4.9-$5.2 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is pegged at $6.21 billion, which lies above the company’s guided range.
First Solar expects gross margin to be in the band of $2.4-$2.6 billion. Its operating expenses are anticipated to be in the $610-$635 million range.
First Solar projects module shipments to be in the band of 17-18.2 gigawatts. The company expects its 2026 capital expenditure to be in the range of $0.8-$1 billion.
FSLR’s Zacks Rank
First Solar currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Solar Releases
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. SEDG reported a fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted loss of 14 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 63 cents. The bottom line also improved from the prior-year quarter’s loss of $3.52.
The company’s revenues of $335.4 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $325 million by 3.2%. The top line also increased 70.9% from the year-ago quarter’s $196.2 million.
Enphase Energy, Inc. ENPH reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 71 cents per share, which decreased 24.5% from 94 cents reported in the prior-year quarter. However, the bottom line topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents by 31.5%.
Enphase Energy’s fourth-quarter revenues of $343.3 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $335 million by 2.6%. The top line decreased 10.3% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure of $382.7 million.
Nextracker Inc. NXT reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.10 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 18.3% and came in higher than the year-ago quarter’s earnings of $1.03.
Its revenues, worth $909.4 million, also surpassed the consensus estimate by 12.5% and improved 33.9% from the prior-year quarter’s reported revenues.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

First Solar's Q4 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Surpass

First Solar (FSLR) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.84 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.22 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.65 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -7.20%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this largest U.S. solar company would post earnings of $4.32 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.24, delivering a surprise of -1.85%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.
First Solar, which belongs to the Zacks Solar industry, posted revenues of $1.68 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.00%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.51 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
First Solar shares have lost about 7.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's decline of 0.1%.
What's Next for First Solar?
While First Solar has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for First Solar was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $4.25 on $1.19 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $23.23 on $6.21 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Solar is currently in the top 34% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Canadian Solar (CSIQ), is yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025. The results are expected to be released on March 19.
This solar wafers manufacturer is expected to post quarterly loss of $1.10 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Canadian Solar's revenues are expected to be $1.39 billion, down 8.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Should You Invest in First Solar, Inc. (FSLR)?
Before you invest in First Solar, Inc. (FSLR), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

First Solar, Inc.

Sign up and unlock all the capabilities of the AI-screener