First Solar Gains 29.3% in Past 3 Months: Should You Buy the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - First Solar Inc. (FSLR) has shown strong stock performance, gaining 29.4% over the past three months, outperforming both the solar industry and broader market indices [1][9]. Company Performance - FSLR's stock performance is attributed to aggressive expansion plans, including the start of operations at its fourth U.S. manufacturing facility in Q2 2025 [4]. - The company plans to add approximately four gigawatts (GW) of new capacity, aiming for an annual manufacturing capacity exceeding 25 GW by the end of 2026 [5]. - FSLR has entered contracts for the future sale of 66.1 GW of solar modules, valued at $19.8 billion, expected to contribute to revenue through 2030 [10]. Market Outlook - The growth prospects for FSLR are supported by ongoing capacity expansion and a strong demand outlook for solar energy [7]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSLR's long-term earnings growth rate is 34.5%, surpassing the industry's growth rate of 23.1% [11]. Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates revenue growth of 18.2% and 18.3% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [15]. - Current estimates for FSLR's 2025 and 2026 revenues are $4.97 billion and $5.88 billion, respectively [16]. Valuation Metrics - FSLR shares are trading at a premium, with a forward Price/Sales (P/S F12M) ratio of 3.16, compared to the industry average of 1.27 [18]. - Competitors Canadian Solar (CSIQ) and SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG) are trading at lower P/S ratios of 0.13 and 1.30, respectively [19].