First Solar, Inc.

🇺🇸NASDAQ Global Select
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First Solar, Inc. stock analysis FSLR overview
Bullish +55

BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S Sells 16,441 Shares of First Solar, Inc. $FSLR - MarketBeat

📈 First Solar reported quarterly EPS of $3.22, beating estimates of $2.87, with revenue of $1.04 billion topping expectations of $1.03 billion.

🚀 The stock price rose 2.1% following the earnings release, opening at $263.11 against a 50-day moving average of $239.85.

🏦 Institutional ownership stands at 92.08%, with Rockefeller Capital Management increasing its stake by 79.9% to hold 41,723 shares.

📉 BI Asset Management reduced its position by 33.8% in Q1, selling 16,441 shares while retaining a holding valued at $6.34 million.

💰 The company achieved a net margin of 30.73% and a return on equity of 18.01% during the reported quarter.

📊 Analyst consensus rating is 'Moderate Buy' with an average price target of $249.78, though some firms like Wells Fargo lowered targets to $255.

🛡️ First Solar maintains a robust balance sheet with a current ratio of 2.56 and a negligible debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

📉 Insider selling totaled $8 million in the last 90 days, but executives sold shares primarily for tax withholding on vested equity awards.

📈 Revenue grew 23.6% year-over-year to $1.04 billion, demonstrating strong demand for the company's solar modules.

🎯 The stock trades at a PE ratio of 17.00 with a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to growth.

Bullish Signals
  • First Solar beat earnings estimates with EPS of $3.22 versus the consensus of $2.87, demonstrating strong profitability.
  • Revenue of $1.04 billion exceeded analyst expectations of $1.03 billion, indicating robust top-line growth.
  • The company reported a high net margin of 30.73% and a return on equity of 18.01%, reflecting efficient operations.
  • Institutional ownership remains very strong at 92.08%, with major funds like Rockefeller Capital increasing their stakes significantly.
  • Analysts maintain a 'Moderate Buy' consensus rating with a price target of $249.78, signaling confidence in future performance.
  • The stock opened up 2.1% following the earnings report, showing immediate positive market reaction to the results.
  • First Solar has a very low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02 and a strong current ratio of 2.56, indicating financial stability.
  • Revenue increased by 23.6% compared to the same quarter last year, highlighting sustained business expansion.
Risk Factors
  • BI Asset Management reduced its stake in First Solar by 33.8% in the first quarter, selling over 16,000 shares.
  • Several analysts recently lowered their price targets, including Wells Fargo cutting its target from $285 to $255 and Citigroup from $300 to $243.
  • Insiders sold a total of 32,466 shares worth approximately $8 million in the last ninety days, though mostly for tax reasons.
  • Some hedge funds and wealth planners reduced or maintained flat positions while others like BI Asset Management cut holdings significantly.
Full Analysis
First Solar (FSLR) reported strong quarterly financial results, beating analyst expectations for both earnings per share and revenue. The company posted EPS of $3.22 against a consensus estimate of $2.87, with revenue reaching $1.04 billion compared to the expected $1.03 billion. This performance drove the stock price up 2.1% to open at $263.11, highlighting solid operational execution and market confidence in its thin-film photovoltaic technology. Institutional ownership of First Solar remains high at 92.08%, though recent filings show mixed activity among major funds. BI Asset Management reduced its stake by 33.8% in the first quarter, selling over 16,000 shares. Conversely, other institutions like Rockefeller Capital Management and Stance Capital LLC significantly increased their holdings during the fourth quarter, indicating continued strategic interest despite individual portfolio adjustments. Analyst sentiment regarding First Solar is generally positive, with a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' and a price target of $249.78. While some firms like Wells Fargo and Citigroup lowered their specific price targets recently, others such as HSBC raised theirs. The company maintains a healthy balance sheet with a market cap of $28.27 billion and a PE ratio of 17.00, supported by strong margins and low debt levels. Insider trading activity shows minor selling by executives Kuntal Kumar Verma and Markus Gloeckler, primarily to cover tax obligations related to equity vesting rather than a lack of confidence. Collectively, insiders have sold approximately $8 million in stock over the last ninety days, representing less than 0.4% of total shares outstanding. These transactions are pre-arranged or for specific compliance reasons and do not necessarily signal a negative outlook for the company's future prospects.