First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) AI Stock Analysis
FSLR AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchFirst Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is a leading manufacturer of cadmium telluride photovoltaic solar modules serving utilities and commercial energy developers worldwide. The company delivered $5.38B in trailing twelve-month revenue with a 42.6% operating margin and holds a solid net cash position of $1.53B. Despite reaching $1.53B in net income in FY2025, the stock is down 33.9% year-to-date and trades at a forward P/E of 8.3x.
- Market cap
- $18.55B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $5.38B
- P/E
- 10.6x fwd 8.3x
- 1Y return
- -27.4% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $273.80 58.6% vs last close
Bull case
- Balance sheet strength is highlighted by $1.53B in net cash and a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02 as of June 30, 2026.
- Profitability has expanded significantly, with trailing twelve-month operating margin reaching 42.6% and EPS reaching $16.22.
- Wall Street analysts project substantial upside, setting a mean price target of $273.80 compared to the recent close of $172.64.
Bear case
- Revenue growth decelerated in the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, with quarterly revenue contracting 3.7% year-over-year.
- The stock has experienced steep downward momentum, declining 33.9% year-to-date and trading 21.5% below its 200-day average.
- Short interest is notable, with short percent of float standing at 13.5%.
What First Solar does
First Solar, Inc. is a global provider of photovoltaic solar energy solutions across markets including the United States, Japan, France, Canada, India, and Australia. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, the company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and distributing cadmium telluride solar modules that convert sunlight into electricity. Its technology serves system developers, utilities, independent power producers, and commercial and industrial entities. Formerly known as First Solar Holdings, Inc., the company rebranded as First Solar, Inc. in 2006, focusing on product innovation, quality, and expanding clean energy solutions worldwide.
Growth and profitability
First Solar expanded revenue from $2.92B in FY2021 to $5.22B in FY2025, achieving a 5-year revenue CAGR of 14.0%. Net income rebounded from a net loss of $44.2M in FY2022 to $830.8M in FY2023, $1.29B in FY2024, and $1.53B in FY2025, lifting EPS to $14.21. For the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $5.38B with an operating margin of 42.6% and net margin of 32.5%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 3.7% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 23.3%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, First Solar held $1.73B in cash and short-term investments against $194.0M in total debt, resulting in net cash of $1.53B. The company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 2.52 and a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02 on $10.32B of shareholders' equity. Operating cash flow rose to $2.06B in FY2025, funding $869.9M in capital expenditures and generating $1.19B in free cash flow, alongside $15.5M in share buybacks.
Valuation and performance
First Solar trades at a trailing P/E of 10.6x and a forward P/E of 8.3x, well below the median of its S&P 500 Technology peers at 31.5x and 20.9x. Its enterprise value of $19.10B represents an EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.8x, compared to 19.9x for the median of its S&P 500 Technology peers. Over the past year, the stock fell 27.4%, underperforming the 16.8% return of the S&P 500, while its 5-year gain of 64.2% compares to 83.0% for the index.
What analysts expect
Wall Street sentiment reflects 17 Strong Buy, 10 Buy, 8 Hold, and 1 Sell ratings. The mean price target is $273.80, implying a 58.6% premium over the last close of $172.64 on October 16, 2026. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus expectations project revenue of $5.04B and EPS of $17.47. First Solar has beaten EPS estimates in 2 of the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings report scheduled for October 29, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Top-line expansion stalled in the most recent quarter, with sales declining 3.7% year-over-year.
- Stock price swings may remain elevated given the company's relatively high beta of 1.79.
- Manufacturing expansion requires substantial outlays, evidenced by $869.9M in capital expenditures during FY2025.
- Execution consistency has been mixed, with earnings beating expectations in only 2 of the past 4 quarters.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this FSLR AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of First Solar, Inc. (FSLR). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: FSLR income statement, FSLR balance sheet, FSLR key metrics, FSLR analyst forecast, FSLR chart. See the FSLR stock overview for the latest quote and news.
FSLR AI stock analysis FAQ
Does First Solar pay a dividend?
No, First Solar does not pay a dividend. The company directs its capital toward business expansion, deploying $869.9M in capital expenditures and $15.5M into share repurchases in FY2025.
What is First Solar's valuation relative to peers?
First Solar trades at a forward P/E of 8.3x and an EV/EBITDA of 7.8x. Both multiples represent a discount to the median of its S&P 500 Technology peers, which sit at 20.9x and 19.9x, respectively.
When does First Solar report earnings next?
First Solar's next earnings release is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
What is the consensus analyst price target for FSLR?
The analyst mean price target is $273.80, which is 58.6% above the last closing price of $172.64 on October 16, 2026.