First Solar: Strong Execution, Diminishing Asymmetry
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The Alpha Analyst2.6K FollowersFollow5ShareSavePlay(9min)CommentsSummaryFirst Solar has outperformed my $200 price target, returning over 90% since April's contrarian Buy call.FSLR's valuation support has diminished; policy and tariff risks are now largely priced in, shifting the thesis from contrarian value to mature momentum.Revenue growth remains healthy but is slowing, with gross margins contracting from ~45% to ~40% and 2025 guidance revised downward.I downgrade FSLR to Hold, recommending disciplined profit-taking as future returns depend on execution against already high 2026 earnings expectations. bombermoon/iStock via Getty Images The April thesis on First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) has played out earlier and better than I expected. The price target of $200 has been outrun in just over 7 months, helped somewhat by an overallThis article was written byThe Alpha Analyst2.6K FollowersFollowI am a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management. My focus is on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization to uncover high-growth investment opportunities. As a former Vice President at Barclays, I led teams in model validation, stress testing, and regulatory finance, developing a deep expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis. Alongside my research partner (also my wife), I co-author investment research, combining our complementary strengths to deliver high-quality, data-driven insights. Our approach blends rigorous risk management with a long-term perspective on value creation. We have a particular interest in macroeconomic trends, corporate earnings, and financial statement analysis, aiming to provide actionable ideas for investors seeking to outperform the market.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.