First Solar is Nothing if Not Popular

-3.98%
Downside
169
Market
162
Trefis
FSLR: First Solar logo
FSLR
First Solar

If nothing else, First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) has certainly been newsworthy of late. There seems to be no shortage of stories, some substantiated and some not, regarding FSLR’s management woes, takeover talk, company milestones and recent deals. And with the recently announced poor showings from the likes of LDK Solar (NYSE:LDK), look for more news to follow. One of the recent news items involving FSLR includes the resignation of CEO Rob Gillette, which became official on October 25th. As this was the latest senior manager to leave the company, the market did not take kindly to Mr. Gilette’s departure, fearing the worst. The stock subsequently dropped significantly. Chairman and company founder Mike Ahearn has assumed the reins.

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Takeover Talk Just That, Talk

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With a depressed stock price and continued management upheaval, it’s not surprising that talk of a takeover continues. Industry heavyweights like General Electric (NYSE:GE) have been mentioned as possible suitors. However, talk of First Solar as an acquisition target is just that, talk. Does that mean it will never happen? Of course not, but investors that buy into these rumors hoping for a quick pop are likely to be sorely disappointed.

Substantiated News Should Please First Solar Investors

The company recently announced an impressive milestone: cumulative production since 2002 totaling 66 million solar modules, placing First Solar at the head of the pack here in the U.S., and one of the leading solar module manufacturers in the world.

In a deal expected to close in the next two weeks, the CEO of German-based solarhybrid announced the acquisition of Solar Millennium. This is significant for FSLR because solarhybrid will take over the manufacture of a 1.5 gigawatt project pipeline in California, and have already announced First Solar will supply the solar modules. With 18% of the Trefis stock price coming from U.S. Photovoltaic Modules, this is an opportunity to grow a division with significant upside potential.

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