FSLR - First Solar, Inc.
| Previous Close | 59.85 |
| Open | 59.84 |
| Bid | 0.00 x 2200 |
| Ask | 0.00 x 1300 |
| Day's Range | 59.40 - 60.48 |
| 52 Week Range | 36.51 - 81.72 |
| Volume | 849,049 |
| Avg. Volume | 1,495,217 |
| Market Cap | 6.317B |
| Beta (3Y Monthly) | 1.15 |
| PE Ratio (TTM) | 44.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | 1.36 |
| Earnings Date | Apr 24, 2019 - Apr 29, 2019 |
| Forward Dividend & Yield | N/A (N/A) |
| Ex-Dividend Date | N/A |
| 1y Target Est | 65.41 |
- Motley Fool•2 days ago
Solar Energy Is Hot in 2019
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- InvestorPlace•5 days ago
Vivint Solar Stock Is Cheap, But It Carries Real Risks
For Vivint Solar (NASDAQ:VSLR), the bull case seems easy to make. VSLR stock isn't cheap on an earnings basis, but it's not supposed to be, at least not yet.Vivint Solar's residential installations will take time to bear fruit. However, management's estimate of future profits suggests that VSLR stock can rise meaningfully from its current share price of $5.45. Meanwhile, solar demand is only likely to rise going forward, suggesting VSLR should have substantive upside potential.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsBut the bear case on Vivint Solar stock seems reasonably easy to make as well. Historically, the solar industry has been a black hole for investors. Plus, the company's costs are rising, and profitability appears a long way off. * 8 Best Stocks to Buy for an April Rally VSLR stock doesn't look like it's worth the risk. But investors more optimistic on solar might see things differently. Reasons to Buy VSLR StockThere are several reasons to strongly consider Vivint Solar stock. Near-term earnings don't look all that impressive: adjusted net loss per share in 2018 was $2.38, notably worse than 2017's $1.58. But those figures include huge losses attributable to non-controlling interests i.e., the funds investing in Vivint Solar's investment credits.After backing out those losses, VSLR is close to profitable. And analysts, on average, are expecting the company to become profitable within the next two years.But the long-term nature of Vivint Solar's contracts means the company is trading near-term profits (and cash flow) for out-year benefits. The company's measure of "net retained value per share" estimates the total value of existing assets, less debt. That figure continues to rise, climbing from $6.61 at the end of 2016 to a current $9.20.Investors should be somewhat skeptical about that figure. Companies generally will have a more positive view toward their own futures, after all. But even a discount from the $9-plus figure still suggests that VSLR stock is reasonably priced, if not cheap, around $5. Meanwhile, the net-retained-value figure should grow over time as solar demand continues, spurred in part by regulations in California and elsewhere.While VSLR's demand should rise, competition may not do the same. Vivint Solar remains behind Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN) in terms of total installations. But it does seem like Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) unit SolarCity is fading as a competitor. Per Tesla's 10-K filings, SolarCity deployed 523 megawatts of solar energy generation in 2017, and just 326 MW last year. In contrast, Vivint's installations rose, showing notable strength in the second half of the year. The Case for VSLRThere's a lot to like about VSLR stock. The industry is growing. Market share gains could be on the way. SolarCity is scuffling, and Vivint has partnered with Home Depot (NYSE:HD), after Tesla walked away from its deal with the home-improvement retailer last year.VSLR's earnings should improve in the near-term. Debt might be a concern, with the long-term total at $1.2 billion. But Vivint has proven able to refinance by securitizing existing installations. This includes the largest ever such deal, which closed in June.So Vivint should be able to grow its business. It should be able to finance that business. The numbers can be confusing, owing to the different financing deals. Plus, there's the fact that 20-year leases may not be profitable for some time to come. Still, the numbers seem to work and, if solar growth accelerates, so too should Vivint Solar stock. The Risks Facing VSLR StockAt the same time, Vivint Solar stock seems like anything but a slam dunk. The solar sector has been around for a century. Despite this, the number of solar companies that have made consistent profits for investors seems close to zero. VSLR itself trades well below its highs from earlier this decade. It originally planned to sell itself to SunEdison, but canceled the deal; SunEdison headed into bankruptcy not long after.RUN did hit an all-time high earlier this year. Solar cell manufacturer First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) traded sideways in recent years. But overall, this has been a difficult sector, with tariffs and subsidies leading to pricing volatility. This dynamic created problems for manufacturers and installers alike.In that context, there's an obvious question as to whether Vivint Solar's model is just too tough. Its business is, and will remain, labor-intensive. Financing depends on investors' willingness to buy into securitizations at low interest rates.Interest rates have stayed low this decade, but they may not do so forever. Change the discount rate on future cash flows that VSLR uses to calculate net retained value per share from 6% to 8%. When you do that, the net retained value per share of VSLR stock drops to $6. That's a much lower margin of safety and suggests smaller potential gains from these shares.Low natural gas prices are an issue, as they affect energy rates and could potentially impact the pricing advantage of installed solar. Tesla's solar roof may not materialize any time soon, but other companies are looking to build similar models. Naturally, this could undercut the need for Vivint Solar's systems. Battery storage is another key potential growth catalyst for VSLR stock, but Vivint's partnership with Mercedes-Benz has fallen through, leaving the company potentially behind on that front. $5 Is Cheap, But VSLR's Road May Be Too ToughSince plunging after the SunEdison deal fell through, VSLR stock actually has been a reasonably good investment. It's possible that industry strength and continued retained-value growth will keep that trend intact.But there are an awful lot of obstacles in the company's path as well. VSLR can move quickly in either direction, based on external worries. New tariffs from China could spike the cost of solar panels, making the business model unprofitable, or close to it. Regulations can change. Subsidies can be added or withdrawn. There are myriad factors beyond Vivint Solar's control which can affect Vivint Solar stock.Investors who believe in solar and are willing to take on the risks of VSLR very well might see rewards. But the industry's track record and installation-space uncertainty make me believe that VSLR's road is a little too tough. At the end of the day, this is a low-margin and capital-intensive business. That's a difficult way to make money in any industry.As of this writing, Vince Martin has no positions in any securities mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Best ETFs for 2019: A Close Race at the Front * 15 Stocks to Buy Leading the Financial Charge * 7 Stocks From Around the World That Beat U.S. Stocks Compare Brokers The post Vivint Solar Stock Is Cheap, But It Carries Real Risks appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- Zacks•5 days ago
First Solar (FSLR) Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates: Can the Stock Move Higher?
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- ETF Trends•6 days ago
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- Simply Wall St.•6 days ago
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR): Financial Strength Analysis
Stocks with market capitalization between $2B and $10B, such as First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) with a size of US$6.4b, do not attract as much attention from the investing community as do the small-caps and large-caps. Surprisingly...
- Investopedia•11 days ago
Top Alternative Energy Stocks 2019
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- ETF Trends•12 days ago
Solar ETF Brightens After Goldman Adds First Solar to Conviction Buy List
An exchange traded fund tracking the solar sector jumped Wednesday after First Solar (NasdaqGS: FSLR) was added on to Goldman Sachs’ vaunted “Conviction Buy List.” Among the better performing non-leveraged ...
- Market Realist•12 days ago
First Solar Stock: Analysts’ Recommendations
Why Did First Solar Stock Rise 8% on April 10?(Continued from Prior Part)First SolarLast year was particularly gloomy for solar stocks due to weak revenue growth, falling demand, and policy uncertainties. Despite a subdued performance in 2018,
- Zacks•12 days ago
First Solar (FSLR) Jumps: Stock Rises 8.3%
First Solar (FSLR) saw a big move last session, as its shares jumped more than 8% on the day, amid huge volumes.
- Market Realist•12 days ago
Why Did First Solar Stock Rise 8% on April 10?
Why Did First Solar Stock Rise 8% on April 10?Solar stocks keep the momentum First Solar (FSLR) stock rose more than 8% on April 10 and closed almost at its ten-month high. According to CNBC, Goldman Sachs added First Solar to its “Americas
- InvestorPlace•12 days ago
3 Big Stock Charts for Thursday: DISH Network, American Airlines Group and Kellogg
The bears balked again, ceding control back over to the bulls on Wednesday … not that they did much with it. The S&P 500 mustered a gain of 0.35% yesterday, but hasn't made any real net progress since late last week. Volume, already trending lower, was downright pathetic, with few traders interested in making a commitment.Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ:BBBY) led the way, gaining more than 5% headed into its post-close earnings report. The stock gave up all of that gain and more in after-hours action though, following an unexpected quarterly loss. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) logged an even bigger regular-hours gain though, advancing more than 8% after Goldman Sachs added it to its conviction list.Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT), on the flipside, was holding the market back, as shares of the newly minted ride-hailing stock fell more than 10% on the heels of news that rival Uber would soon be going public as well.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsNone of those names are setting up great trading moves headed into today's action though. Rather, it's the stock charts of Kellogg Company (NYSE:K), DISH Network (NASDAQ:DISH) and American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) that are worth a closer look. Here's what to look for. American Airlines Group (AAL)Last year was a tough one for American Airlines Group shareholders. The stock was in a freefall for the better part of 2018, and though we've seen flashes of bullishness since October, nothing has actually shaken the stock out of its downtrend. * 8 Risky Stocks to Watch as Earnings Season Kicks Off The prospect for a bullish reversal, however, hasn't been better at any time in the past year and a half than it is now. There's just a little more work that needs to be done. Click to Enlarge • The first hurdle that needs to be cleared is the falling resistance line that touches all the major peaks going back to September. It's plotted in yellow on both stock charts.• The 200-day moving average line, plotted in white, may also serve as at least a temporary ceiling.• Though the bulls need to secure more ground before the rally takes root, note that it has stopped making lower lows. A triple-bottom near $30 has been formed, which is a precursor to higher lows. Kellogg Company (K)Most stocks were hit hard in the latter part of last year. Kellogg Company was no exception. All told, it lost 28% of its value between September's high and December's low.Matters have quietly started to improve though, and done so in the right way. One more good day could decidedly lock in place all the bullish legwork that's been put on the table so far, and light a nice fire under the rebound effort. Click to Enlarge • For the better part of late last year and early this year, a falling resistance line plotted in yellow on the daily chart continued to drive lower highs. That technical hurdle was clear last month.• In the meantime, resistance at $57.80 has taken shape. That's where K stock has peaked several times since late March, and it's near where the gray 100-day moving average is now.• Though erratic, we've seen some major bullish volume days since the latter half of March. There are some willing bulls out there.• Zooming out to the weekly chart, we simultaneously see the Chaikin line's moved back above the zero line and a fresh MACD buy signal. We don't see either serve up fakeout signals very often for Kellogg Company shares. DISH Network (DISH)With nothing more than a quick glance, DISH Network could be seen as dishing out the same basic volatility it's been dishing out for the past several months. And, maybe that's all it is.A longer, more thoughtful look at the charts of DISH, however, suggests there's something far more constructive underway than we've seen in months. Although it's still entirely likely we could see sizable pullbacks from here, the bigger-picture tide appears to have taken a nice turn for the better. Click to Enlarge• As of right now, and since last month, DISH Network stock is above the white 200-day moving average line. That's a first since the middle of 2017.• DISH stock is also above horizontal resistance around $34, plotted with a red dashed line on the daily chart. The stock peaked there a couple of times before now, but it wasn't a problem last week.• The new convergence of all the key moving average lines is about to set up a cross of the purple 50-day moving average above the 200-day line. These so-called "golden crosses" are a big hint of a tidal change.• If the rally can get and keep traction and break above the ceiling near $37, there's no well-established resistance until you get back to 2017's high around $66.50.As of this writing, James Brumley did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. You can learn more about James at his site, jamesbrumley.com, or follow him on Twitter, at @jbrumley. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor * 7 Catalysts That Will Send Marijuana Stocks Soaring in 2019 * 8 Risky Stocks to Watch as Earnings Season Kicks Off Compare Brokers The post 3 Big Stock Charts for Thursday: DISH Network, American Airlines Group and Kellogg appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- Reuters•12 days ago
US STOCKS-Wall St ekes out gains as investors shrug off Fed minutes
Technology stocks led Wall Street slightly higher on Wednesday, as U.S. inflation data proved to be benign and the minutes from the Federal Reserve's March meeting were unsurprising. The three major U.S. indexes were relatively unchanged following the release of the Fed's minutes, which reaffirmed the central bank's patience regarding future interest rate hikes. "The Fed notes were kind of a nothing, exactly what the market was expecting" said Stephen Massocca, senior vice president at Wedbush Securities in San Francisco.
- Motley Fool•12 days ago
Why First Solar, Guardant Health, and Tempur Sealy International Jumped Today
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- InvestorPlace•13 days ago
First Solar News: FSLR Stock Shines on Goldman Sachs Love
First Solar news about the company getting some attention from Goldman Sachs has FSLR stock up on Wednesday.Source: U.S. Department of the Interior via FlickrThe positive news for First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) is that Goldman Sachs has added the company to its Conviction Buy List. This is a list from the company that holds companies that it believes will see strong growth and profits.The First Solar news about the company being added to the list is great for FSLR stock as it adds to the idea that it has future potential. Goldman Sachs analyst Brian Lee was behind this change. He claims that the company has "a backdrop of improving fundamentals in the global solar landscape."InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsLee also notes in the First Solar news that the company already has a strong presence in the U.S. with potential to grow more in the country. He is also expecting good results from its business in Malaysia. This could increase the firm's 2021 EPS estimate for the company by 23%, reports TheStreet.com. * 10 Dow Jones Stocks Holding the Blue Chip Index Back The Goldman Sachs analyst doesn't just stop at adding First Solar to the Conviction Buy List. He also has a new price target for the stock. This is $75, which is a nice boost over the previous price target of $64. It is also about 33% more than FLSR stock's closing price on Tuesday.First Solar stock was up 7% as of noon Wednesday and is up 31% since the start of the year. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Every Investor * 7 Catalysts That Will Send Marijuana Stocks Soaring in 2019 * 8 Risky Stocks to Watch as Earnings Season Kicks Off As of this writing, William White did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.Compare Brokers The post First Solar News: FSLR Stock Shines on Goldman Sachs Love appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- CNBC•13 days ago
Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Under Armour, Tesla, Lyft, First Solar & more
Shares of Tesla rose more than 1% after lawmakers began to push to expand federal tax credits for buyers of electric vehicles. New York University professor Aswath Damodaran said Tuesday on CNBC that shares should be trading closer to $59 per share , cutting down $3 billion off the ride-sharing company's $18 billion valuation. First Solar FSLR — Shares of First Solar soared more than 8%, on pace for its best day of the year, after Goldman Sachs added the stock to its "Americas Conviction List," while reiterating its buy rating and raising the stock's price target to $75 from $64.
- TheStreet.com•13 days ago
First Solar Lights Up on Addition to Goldman Conviction List
First Solar stock gained $3.87, rising to $60 on the Nasdaq Stock Market, after Goldman Sachs analyst Brian Lee added the company to the firm's Conviction Buy List and raised his price target on the stock to $75 from $64. In a research note to clients, Lee pointed to "a backdrop of improving fundamentals in the global solar landscape" in addition to "continued strength in the U.S. utility scale development pipeline," as tailwinds that First Solar "is well positioned to harvest," the analyst said.
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- Motley Fool•24 days ago
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- InvestorPlace•27 days ago
Oil Stocks Are About to Start Feeling Pressure from All Sides
The American economy is about to undergo its last oil shock. But it won't be the kind of shock you have come to expect, and it will have a different impact on oil stock than you might think.Source: Shutterstock As I wrote Mar. 20, global trends are lining up to support higher prices in the near term, which likely will be a boon to oil stocks.Venezuela is out of the market, and Saudi Arabia is doing everything it can to push up prices by reducing supplies. Oilprice.com believes the Kingdom's target is $80-85 per barrel oil, which is needed for it to balance its budget.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThe problem is that price leads to what is politely termed "demand destruction." Renewable energy, especially efficiency, thrives on high oil prices. Since the start of 2019 shares in solar panel maker First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) are up 21%, and those of SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) 23%. * 7 Marijuana Stocks to Play the CBD Trend What the Trump Administration wants is price stability which is likely why we saw the president tweeting OPEC to "take it easy" after prices reached their present level in February.Losing that stability is what the next oil shock will be all about. Oil Stocks and the U.S. EconomyThe U.S. is both the largest consumer and largest producer of oil today. Shares in the largest Permian producers (and heavy-hitting oil stocks), Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX), are both up on the year. But their gains of 19% and 14% are just slightly higher than those of the S&P 500, up 12.6%, and well behind those of the solar powers.The rise in U.S. production has made higher prices a net positive for the economy. The Administration wants to maintain this by cutting aid for renewable energy. But state policies, and business preferences, mean that demand is leveling off, except for natural gas liquids used to lift heavy oil and allow crushed Alberta bitumen to be moved by pipeline.Gasoline is a key market for oilmen, but U.S. production of electric cars is skyrocketing. Electricity is a key market for natural gas, but demand there is declining as insulation, LEDs, and automation reduce demand from business.Lower U.S. demand for oil and gas has kept the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the standard U.S. grade, $7.50 per barrel below the price for Brent North Sea oil, the world standard. The spread has remained even though the U.S. has allowed direct oil exports since 2016. The Market and Oil StocksMorgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) analysts are expecting prices of Brent oil to reach $75 per barrel by summer, about $8 per barrel higher than they are now. But analyst Arthur Berman believes this rally in oil stocks won't last past the summer, just as natural gas prices peaked in the winter and are now heading down.While both the U.S. and the Saudis are trying to get the best price possible, the U.S. is playing a long-term game while the Saudis are focused on the short term. Both bets are losing ones.Recent Saudi production cuts could soon be matched by increases in Mexico, Libya, and Nigeria, all of which of which are under pressure to earn as much as they can. Guyana should start producing oil for Exxon Mobil in 2020. It could quickly become a larger producer than either Mexico or Venezuela. The Bottom Line on Oil StocksIn the 1970s oil prices rose sharply as Middle East producers gained the power to control supply, and the U.S. military backed their pricing.In the 2010s technology has increased U.S. production and cut demand, while producers outside the U.S. now face domestic pressure to pump more.The market's balance is slowly being reined-in by renewable energy, and by efficiency. The next "energy crisis" will be built on a market panic, and collapsing prices, rather than the other way around.That day of reckoning is approaching. Investors should prepare their portfolios for it.Dana Blankenhorn is a financial and technology journalist. He is the author of a new mystery thriller, The Reluctant Detective Finds Her Family, available now at the Amazon Kindle store. Write him at danablankenhorn@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @danablankenhorn. As of this writing he owned no shares in companies mentioned in this article. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Dual-Class Stocks That Will Outperform * 7 Reasons Why Apple Streaming Won't Move the Needle for Apple Stock * 7 A-Rated Stocks to Buy in the Second Quarter Compare Brokers The post Oil Stocks Are About to Start Feeling Pressure from All Sides appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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Bloomberg•29 days agoBig Winner from Trump's Solar Tariffs Didn't Even Ask for Them
Since then, one of the U.S. panel makers that fought for the duties has been acquired, and the other is bankrupt. U.S. solar jobs fell 3.2 percent last year. First Solar Inc., which sells more than any other U.S. solar manufacturer, is the biggest beneficiary because it use a particular technology that isn’t covered by the tariffs -- even though many of its panels are made overseas.
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