Is First Solar Stock Outperforming the Dow?

Company Overview - First Solar, Inc. is a leading firm in renewable energy, specializing in thin-film solar modules and comprehensive solar solutions, with operations in module design, manufacturing, sales, and maintenance across the U.S., Asia, and beyond [1] Market Position - The company has a market capitalization of $21.63 billion, categorizing it as a "Large cap" stock, and is recognized for its advanced technology and global reach in utility-scale solar infrastructure [2] Stock Performance - First Solar's stock reached a 52-week high of $262.72 in September 2024 but has since declined by 21.2%. Conversely, it is up 77.6% from a 52-week low of $116.56 in April 2025. Over the past three months, the stock has gained 18.2%, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which increased by 8.7% [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, First Solar's stock has declined by 9.5%, while the industrial index has gained 10.9%. Year-to-date, the stock is up 17.5%, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 7.9% increase [4] - The stock has been trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since late July, indicating strong momentum [5] Financial Performance - In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, First Solar reported net sales of $1.10 billion, an increase of 8.6% year-over-year, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $1.03 billion. This growth was attributed to a rise in module sales to third parties [6] - Despite a decline in net income per share from $3.25 to $3.18 year-over-year, this figure exceeded analysts' expectations of $2.68 [6] - Following the earnings report, the stock surged 5.3% intraday on August 1, driven by the topline growth and an increase in full-year guidance. The net sales guidance was raised from $4.50 billion - $5.50 billion to $4.90 billion - $5.70 billion, and the EPS guidance was narrowed from $12.50 - $17.50 to $13.50 - $16.50 [7]