Deutsche Bank Upgrades First Solar Amid Trade Policy Shift
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 16 hours ago
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Upgrade Recommendation: Deutsche Bank upgraded First Solar from hold to buy and raised its price target from $245 to $272, indicating nearly a 17% upside from Monday's close, reflecting strong confidence in the company's future performance.
- Market Opportunity Analysis: Analyst Corinne Blanchard noted that the recent sharp stock pullback creates a favorable entry point for investors, particularly ahead of a stronger second half, normalized 2027 business year, and upcoming clarifications on S232 policy.
- Import Policy Impact: The U.S. investigation into polysilicon imports could widen access, aiding First Solar's scaling efforts and potentially boosting its stock price, with a decision expected in August according to analysts.
- Market Consensus Support: Among the 42 analysts covering First Solar, 25 have rated the stock as buy or strong buy, indicating a widespread positive outlook that further bolsters investor confidence.
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Analyst Views on FSLR
Wall Street analysts forecast FSLR stock price to rise
23 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 224.570
Low
150.00
Averages
280.35
High
335.00
Current: 224.570
Low
150.00
Averages
280.35
High
335.00
About FSLR
First Solar, Inc. is a photovoltaic (PV) solar technology and manufacturing company. It is focused on enabling power generation needs with its advanced, thin film PV technology. The Company's primary segment is its modules business, which involves the design, manufacture, and sale of CdTe solar modules, which convert sunlight into electricity. Third-party customers of the segment include system developers, independent power producers, utilities, commercial and industrial companies, and other system owners and operators. The Company's products include the Series 7 Module and Series 6 Plus module. Its Series 6 Plus module is a glass laminate approximately 4ft x 6ft in size that encapsulates thin film PV semiconductor materials. Its Series 7 module has a larger form factor of approximately 4ft x 7ft in size. The Series 6 Plus and Series 7 modules had an average power output of 464 watts and 532 watts, respectively.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Opportunity Analysis: Analyst Corinne Blanchard noted that the recent sharp stock pullback creates a favorable entry point for investors, particularly ahead of a stronger second half, normalized 2027 business year, and upcoming clarifications on S232 policy.
- Import Policy Impact: The U.S. investigation into polysilicon imports could widen access, aiding First Solar's scaling efforts and potentially boosting its stock price, with a decision expected in August according to analysts.
- Market Consensus Support: Among the 42 analysts covering First Solar, 25 have rated the stock as buy or strong buy, indicating a widespread positive outlook that further bolsters investor confidence.
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- Market Opportunity Analysis: Analyst Corinne Blanchard noted that the recent sharp stock pullback creates a favorable entry point for investors, particularly ahead of a stronger second half, normalized 2027 business year, and upcoming clarifications on S232 policy.
- Import Policy Impact: The U.S. investigation into polysilicon imports could widen access, aiding First Solar's scaling efforts and potentially boosting its stock price, with a decision expected in August according to analysts.
- Market Consensus Support: Among the 42 analysts covering First Solar, 25 have rated the stock as buy or strong buy, indicating a widespread positive outlook that further bolsters investor confidence.
See More
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- Lawsuit Background: Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP reminds investors that the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action against First Solar is August 24, 2026, concerning securities transactions from February 26, 2025, to February 24, 2026, allowing investors who suffered losses to seek lead plaintiff status.
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- Earnings Miss: On February 24, 2026, First Solar reported its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results, revealing earnings significantly missed expectations and issued lower revenue guidance for 2026, causing the stock to fall another $33.09, or 13.6%, to close at $210.12, exacerbating investor losses.
- False Statement Allegations: The class action lawsuit alleges that throughout the class period, the company made materially false and misleading statements, failing to disclose the adverse impacts of U.S. tariff policies on its business, which misled investors regarding the company's prospects and may expose it to legal liabilities.
See More
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- Price Target Increase: Wells Fargo raised First Solar's price target from $255 to $320, reflecting a nearly 36% upside potential if the U.S. eases restrictions on imported polysilicon, indicating strong market optimism regarding the company's future profitability.
- Analyst Rating Distribution: Among the 35 analysts covering First Solar, 21 have a ‘Buy’ rating, 12 a ‘Hold’, and 2 a ‘Sell’, suggesting a generally positive outlook for the company, especially in light of potential policy changes.
- Positive Market Reaction: First Solar shares climbed nearly 6% on Monday, driven by a bullish Wall Street note that anticipates significant market performance improvements if the U.S. government makes favorable decisions regarding tariffs on polysilicon.
- Profitability Challenges: Despite the overall optimism, Bernstein initiated coverage with an ‘Underperform’ rating, arguing that the company's profitability heavily relies on government tax credits, which could pose risks to its long-term growth amid potential policy shifts.
See More
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- Allegations of False Statements: The complaint alleges that throughout the class period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose adverse facts about the company's business and prospects, potentially leading investors to misjudge the company's future performance.
- Impact of Tariff Policies: The lawsuit specifically claims that defendants overstated First Solar's ability to manage the impact of U.S. tariff policies and understated the negative effects of underutilizing production facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam on projected performance for fiscal year 2026, which could result in a decline in company performance.
- Investor Rights Protection: Investors have until August 24, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff, with the law firm promising to represent investors on a contingency fee basis, ensuring that they do not incur additional costs in the litigation process.
See More
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- SK Hynix IPO Plans: South Korean memory giant SK Hynix is looking to raise $28 billion through a Nasdaq listing, which, while maintaining its primary listing in South Korea, will enhance its capital access and broaden its investor base.
- Acquisition Impact: Solstice Advanced Materials is acquiring Element Solutions for $14.5 billion, creating a specialty chemicals powerhouse focused on the semiconductor industry, which will enhance its competitive position and industry consolidation capabilities.
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