First Solar, Inc. $FSLR is SFE Investment Counsel’s 7th Largest Position

SFE Investment Counsel trimmed its position in shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 64,059 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock after selling 5,754 shares during the quarter. First Solar comprises about 2.6% of SFE Investment Counsel’s holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest position. SFE Investment Counsel’s holdings in First Solar were worth $16,734,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of FSLR. Aventura Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Solar during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Solar during the second quarter worth $26,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of First Solar during the third quarter worth $44,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Solar during the fourth quarter worth $47,000. Finally, NBT Bank N A NY raised its holdings in shares of First Solar by 550.0% during the third quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 221 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. 92.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on FSLR. Zacks Research upgraded First Solar from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Evercore raised their price target on shares of First Solar from $212.00 to $219.00 in a report on Monday, May 4th. DZ Bank raised shares of First Solar to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of First Solar from $275.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of First Solar from $228.00 to $213.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, First Solar currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $247.03.

Insider Transactions at First Solar

In related news, insider Kuntal Kumar Verma sold 3,426 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $195.93, for a total value of $671,256.18. Following the transaction, the insider owned 8,334 shares in the company, valued at $1,632,880.62. This trade represents a 29.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Alexander R. Bradley sold 14,106 shares of First Solar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.97, for a total transaction of $2,820,776.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 30,000 shares in the company, valued at $5,999,100. This trade represents a 31.98% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 92,430 shares of company stock worth $18,670,055. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the company’s stock.

First Solar Trading Up 2.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $234.60 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.21 billion, a PE ratio of 15.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.57. First Solar, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.50 and a 1 year high of $285.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $199.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $231.46. The company has a current ratio of 2.56, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The solar cell manufacturer reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.35. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.03 billion. First Solar had a net margin of 30.73% and a return on equity of 18.01%. First Solar’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.95 earnings per share. Analysts expect that First Solar, Inc. will post 17.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

First Solar News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting First Solar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Argus raised its price target on First Solar to $275 from $250 and reiterated a buy rating, signaling confidence in further upside after recent strength. Argus Adjusts Price Target on First Solar
• Positive Sentiment: Broader solar stocks are showing improved momentum, with reports that First Solar and other clean-energy names are attempting breakouts as investors rotate back into the sector. Solar Stocks Could Have More Room to Run
• Positive Sentiment: Bloomberg reported that Chinese clean-tech firms are pulling back from the U.S. because of a tougher policy environment and possible loss of incentives, which could improve the competitive position of U.S.-based solar manufacturers such as First Solar. China’s $3 Billion US Clean Tech Exit Is an Investment Warning
• Neutral Sentiment: First Solar CEO Mark Widmar disclosed two recent stock sales under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan. Insider selling can draw attention, but the transactions appear routine rather than a negative business signal.
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s shareholder/analyst call transcript was published, but no new material catalyst was highlighted in the provided headline.

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.