First Solar (FSLR)
Market Price (11/1/2025): $267.01 | Market Cap: $28.6 BilSector: Information Technology | Industry: Semiconductors
First Solar (FSLR)
Market Price (11/1/2025): $267.01Market Cap: $28.6 BilSector: Information TechnologyIndustry: Semiconductors
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 31% | Trading close to highsDist 52W High is 0.0% | Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 96x |
| Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 104% | ||
| Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -22% | ||
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 69% |
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 31% |
| Trading close to highsDist 52W High is 0.0% |
| Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 96x |
| Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 104% |
| Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -22% |
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 69% |
Market Valuation & Key Metrics
FSLR Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| FSLR Return | 77% | -12% | 72% | 15% | 2% | 33% | 331% |
| Peers Return | 268% | -19% | 3% | -30% | -49% | 54% | 68% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 110% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| FSLR Win Rate | 67% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 58% | 56% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 67% | 27% | 43% | 28% | 23% | 42% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| FSLR Max Drawdown | -46% | -30% | -30% | -12% | -19% | -32% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -23% | -33% | -28% | -50% | -51% | -30% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ENPH, RUN, SEDG, CSIQ, AMBQ. See FSLR Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 10/31/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | FSLR | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -49.3% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 97.3% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 105 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -49.1% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 96.4% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 118 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -52.6% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 111.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 667 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -72.0% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 256.7% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 1480 days |
Compare to ENPH, RUN, SEDG, CSIQ, AMBQ
In The Past
First Solar's stock fell -49.3% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 11/1/2021. A -49.3% loss requires a 97.3% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to FSLR. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | ZBRA | Zebra Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | ACN | Accenture | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | ADBE | Adobe | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | TXN | Texas Instruments | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | RUN | Sunrun | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 05312025 | FSLR | First Solar | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 68.9% | 68.9% | -9.1% |
| 10312024 | FSLR | First Solar | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -34.9% | 37.3% | -38.1% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | ZBRA | Zebra Technologies | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | ACN | Accenture | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | ADBE | Adobe | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | TXN | Texas Instruments | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 10312025 | RUN | Sunrun | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 05312025 | FSLR | First Solar | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 68.9% | 68.9% | -9.1% |
| 10312024 | FSLR | First Solar | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -34.9% | 37.3% | -38.1% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for First Solar
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 30.54 |
| Mkt Cap | 4.0 |
| Rev LTM | 1,821 |
| Op Inc LTM | -46 |
| FCF LTM | -520 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | -557 |
| CFO LTM | -21 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 63 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 3.3% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 0.5% |
| Rev Chg Q | 8.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 2.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | -11.9% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 3.1% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 1.3% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | -3.4% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 0.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | -25.7% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | -15.8% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 4.0 |
| P/S | 2.2 |
| P/EBIT | -1.3 |
| P/E | -1.2 |
| P/CFO | -5.8 |
| Total Yield | -0.5% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | -14.8% |
| D/E | 0.4 |
| Net D/E | 0.0 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 7.7% |
| 3M Rtn | 41.2% |
| 6M Rtn | 117.4% |
| 12M Rtn | 43.7% |
| 3Y Rtn | -37.9% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 3.8% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 33.2% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 97.1% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 29.5% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -111.5% |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 10/30/2025 | 14.3% | ||
| 7/31/2025 | 5.3% | 6.2% | 11.7% |
| 2/20/2025 | -5.3% | -14.0% | -20.0% |
| 10/29/2024 | -1.1% | 8.1% | -3.6% |
| 7/30/2024 | 2.4% | -0.2% | 8.4% |
| 2/27/2024 | 2.9% | 9.7% | 15.5% |
| 10/31/2023 | 0.3% | 1.3% | 10.8% |
| 7/27/2023 | 4.8% | -1.3% | -10.7% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 12 | 11 | 13 |
| # Negative | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Median Positive | 5.1% | 9.4% | 12.2% |
| Median Negative | -1.1% | -7.4% | -15.0% |
| Max Positive | 15.7% | 26.7% | 37.6% |
| Max Negative | -14.7% | -25.4% | -43.2% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10302025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7312025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4292025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2252025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10292024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7302024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5012024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2272024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 10312023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7272023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4272023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2282023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10282022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7292022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4292022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 3012022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Dymbort Jason E. | General Counsel and Secretary | 8202025 | Sell | 215.33 | 1,824 | 392,762 | 4,403,283 | Form |
| 1 | Widmar Mark R | Chief Executive Officer | 8182025 | Sell | 185.15 | 47 | 8,702 | 15,577,595 | Form |
| 2 | Widmar Mark R | Chief Executive Officer | 8142025 | Sell | 181.78 | 200 | 36,356 | 20,303,008 | Form |
| 3 | Buehler Patrick James | Chief Product Officer | 7072025 | Sell | 180.00 | 1,600 | 288,000 | 791,640 | Form |
| 4 | Buehler Patrick James | Chief Product Officer | 6042025 | Sell | 149.08 | 1,868 | 278,481 | 894,182 | Form |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |
