Bernstein Reiterates Sell Rating on First Solar, Inc. (FSLR)

Bernstein maintains its sell stance on First Solar, setting a $217 price target.

Written by EarningsIQ · Published Jun 17, 2026, 6:01 AM EDT · Updated Jun 17, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT

Key Points

Bernstein reiterated its sell rating on First Solar with a $217 price target on June 17, 2026.
First Solar's stock trades at $273.51 with a market cap of $28.4 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.07.
Insider sales and various analyst ratings highlight mixed perspectives on the company's prospects.

On June 17, 2026, Bernstein reiterated its sell rating on First Solar, Inc. (NasdaqGS: FSLR), setting a price target of $217. This comes as First Solar's shares are trading at $273.51.

Other Institutional Activity in First Solar

Several institutional investors have been active in First Solar. BlackRock, Inc. increased its holdings by 1,209,336 shares, bringing its total to 13,821,076 shares valued at approximately $2.73 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 6,788,934 shares, now holding shares worth about $1.34 billion. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC also entered with 5,696,888 shares valued at $1.12 billion. State Street Corp made a smaller addition of 22,721 shares, totaling 5,284,617 shares worth $1.04 billion. Geode Capital Management, LLC increased its position by 186,835 shares to 3,106,826 shares, valued at $612 million.

First Solar, Inc. Stock Snapshot

Shares of First Solar (NasdaqGS: FSLR) are trading near $273.51. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $28.4 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.07, with a forward P/E of 11.28. First Solar's stock has been volatile, with a 52-week low of $139.26 and a high of $320.95. The 50-day moving average is $234.29, while the 200-day moving average is $232.69. The company maintains a current ratio of 2.56 and a quick ratio of 1.91, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.94.

Recent Earnings

First Solar reported revenue of $5.42 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 23.6%. The company achieved a net margin of 30.7% and a return on equity of 18.4%. The next earnings report is scheduled for July 30, 2026.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Solar, Inc.

Several insiders have sold shares recently. Chief Product Officer Patrick James Buehler sold 3,000 shares at $302 each on June 2, 2026, under a pre-planned trading plan. Chief People and Communications Officer Caroline Stockdale sold 10,628 shares at $275.60 on May 28, 2026. CEO Mark Widmar sold multiple tranches of shares, including 5,195 shares at $268.98 on May 26, 2026, and 1,977 shares at $254.15 on May 22, 2026, all part of planned sales.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On June 17, 2026, Bernstein reiterated its sell rating with a $217 price target. Mizuho maintained a buy rating with a $300 target on June 15, 2026, and UBS also maintained its buy rating with a $330 target on June 11, 2026. GLJ Research upgraded its rating to buy with a $315 target on May 28, 2026. The consensus among 26 analysts is a buy rating, with a mean target price of $245.77.

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar, Inc. is a technology company based in Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in solar energy solutions. Founded in 1999, the company manufactures photovoltaic solar modules using thin-film semiconductor technology. It serves a range of clients, including utilities and commercial energy buyers, across the U.S., France, India, Chile, and other international markets. The company is led by CEO Mark R. Widmar and employs approximately 7,900 people.

Bottom Line

Bernstein's reiteration of its sell rating on First Solar, with a price target of $217, highlights ongoing scrutiny of the company's valuation. Despite the mixed analyst ratings, First Solar remains a significant player in the solar industry, with a strong market presence. Investors should note that this analyst update reflects Bernstein's view as of June 17, 2026, and may not represent future performance.