Jefferies Downgrades First Solar, Shares Drop 4%

Core Viewpoint - Jefferies downgraded First Solar from Buy to Hold and reduced the price target to $260.00 from $269.00, resulting in a more than 4% decline in shares during pre-market trading [1] Group 1: 2026 Outlook and Strategic Concerns - Jefferies expressed caution regarding First Solar's 2026 outlook due to limited booking visibility and emerging strategic questions [2] - Expectations surrounding Section 232 tailwinds may disappoint investors, with potential carve-outs for Germany and other regions that could dilute pricing benefits [2] - Developers are accelerating projects ahead of duties and FEOC considerations, which may impact future pricing [2] Group 2: Manufacturing Challenges and Cash Flow - International manufacturing facilities continue to pose challenges while tariffs remain in effect [3] - Although First Solar is expected to remain free-cash-flow positive, the timeline for significant cash generation is likely too extended to act as a near-term catalyst for the stock [3] - Jefferies sees limited upside from current stock levels due to these factors [3]