FSLR

Investing.com -- Truist analyst Christopher Souther reiterated Buy ratings on five clean energy stocks ahead of the third quarter earnings season, citing a favorable demand backdrop as the U.S. is forecast to add approximately 38 GWac of utility-scale solar annually through 2030, alongside 26 GW of storage capacity each year. With investor focus centered on execution and the ability to convert growing opportunities into revenue growth and margin expansion, Souther highlighted companies positioned to deliver against the demand backdrop while navigating policy changes and supply chain challenges. Still guessing which stocks will beat the market? Our AI portfolio updates monthly and is outperforming the S&P 500 by 118%. See this month's list » 1. Clearway Energy Inc (NYSE:CWEN) - Truist maintains a Buy rating with a $40 price target. The firm expects third quarter revenue of $522 million, up 22% year-over-year and ahead of consensus estimates of $511 million. CWEN recently closed financing and started construction on the 650 MW Swan Energy Center solar project in Missouri, backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement and expected to reach commercial operations in 2028. Truist sees upside to the company's 2030 cash available for distribution per share target of $2.90 to $3.10, with its estimate at $3.18. The analyst expects another year of 5% to 8% growth extending into 2031, supported by the development pipeline and electricity demand supporting pricing to offset higher interest expenses. 2. Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd (NASDAQ:ENLT) - Truist reiterates a Buy rating with a $104 price target. The firm expects third quarter revenue to grow 27% year-over-year to $210 million, supported by a 16% increase in generation to 1,498 GWh and benefits from pricing and Israeli electricity trading revenue. ENLT is scheduled to report earnings on November 3. The analyst views ENLT as a beneficiary of global electricity demand with a strong track record of execution across Israel, Europe, and North America. Key focus areas include progress on the development pipeline and the ability to offset higher borrowing costs with power purchase agreement pricing. Unsure what to buy ahead of earnings? Our AI's recent pre-earnings calls delivered gains of +77% to +118% after results dropped. See this month's earnings picks » 3. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) - Truist recently upgraded the stock to Buy with a $270 price target, citing that Section 232 tariffs materially improve long-term pricing visibility by establishing an effective import floor. The Section 232 minimum import price plus tariff of $0.44 per watt is well above FSLR's pre-ruling bookings in the approximately $0.36 per watt range. The firm expects third quarter earnings per share of $4.33, below consensus of $4.66, on revenue falling 26% year-over-year. Truist expects pricing support in the mid-to-high $0.30 per watt range for FSLR modules even with competition from new U.S. capacity. 4. Nextpower Inc (NASDAQ:NXT) - Truist maintains a Buy rating with a $145 price target. The firm expects second quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $1.10 billion, 5% ahead of consensus and up 22% year-over-year, including approximately $82.5 million from the Prevalon acquisition. Investors are focused on the upcoming Capital Markets Day on November 16, where an update to fiscal 2030 guidance is expected. Key areas of focus include integration progress, cross-selling opportunities, and margin implications of a broader product portfolio. The analyst sees NXT as a high quality name with an expanding opportunity set supported by inverter and battery storage acquisitions. 5. Eos Energy Enterprises Inc (NASDAQ:EOSE) - Truist reiterates a Buy rating with a $7 price target. Following preliminary third quarter results, the company reported revenue of $82 million to $83 million, up 170% year-over-year, while adjusted gross margin improved to approximately negative 46% from negative 62% last quarter. Shipments increased roughly 23% quarter-over-quarter as Line 2 at Thorn Hill continued to scale. Key topics include throughput improvements, backlog conversion, deployments under the FPUSA partnership, and the outlook for continued margin expansion as production volumes scale. Truist models positive adjusted gross margin by mid-2027 and positive adjusted EBITDA margin in 2028. Original Article Truist names top clean energy stocks to watch ahead of Q3 earnings season Lycia Therapeutics surges in debut following upsized $317.5M IPO FTSE 100: Stocks extend fall, set to snap 2-week gain on retail slump, oil

First Solar (FSLR) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This largest U.S. solar company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.64 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +9.4%. Revenues are expected to be $1.31 billion, down 17.7% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.05% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For First Solar, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.97%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that First Solar will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that First Solar would post earnings of $2.74 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.92, delivering a surprise of +43.07%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. First Solar doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. First Solar (FSLR), another stock in the Zacks Solar industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $4.64 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +9.4%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.31 billion, down 17.7% from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for First Solar has been revised 2% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -0.97%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that First Solar will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

- Sunrun drops 5% to a 52-week low near $6.93 with no news catalyst, leaving early November earnings as the next key test. - Enphase and First Solar each slip just 1% while the S&P 500 gains 0.6%, underscoring Sunrun's steep divergence from peers and the broader market. - Sunrun trimmed its full-year outlook as soft residential demand, tariff uncertainty, and the Section 25D tax credit expiration pressure its debt-reliant business model. - Just released. Our analysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Enphase Energy didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat ENPH. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut. Selling in solar names is concentrating on Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN), the home solar and battery provider that's falling harder than the rest of its sector. Sunrun stock is at $6.93, down 5% this afternoon after touching $6.91, its lowest price of the past year. Meanwhile, Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:ENPH) stock is down 1% to $30.30, a far softer slide than the one hitting Sunrun stock. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) shares are down 1% to $170.70, moving in step with Enphase Energy stock. The Invesco Solar ETF (NYSEARCA:TAN) is down 2%, showing that the weakness extends across the solar group. Against that background, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 0.6%, leaving solar out of step with a rising broad market. Sunrun stock is falling harder than Enphase Energy stock, First Solar shares and the Invesco Solar ETF, which sets its move apart from the sector's broader slip. No fresh press release from Sunrun accompanied the decline, so the stock's own trend carries more weight in reading the move. That makes the Q3 2026 results Sunrun is scheduled to report in early November the next clear checkpoint. ------ Free Report, Just Released Why Didn't ENPH Make The Top 10 List? 24/7 Wall St has helped investors make money for over two decades, and our top analysts just finished ranking the definitive Top 10 Stocks To Buy Now. Not the ten biggest companies. Not the ten everyone is arguing about. The ten best stocks to buy right now. And ENPH didn't make the cut! The report is free, and you can see why we think each stock is a top investment today. Enter Your Email and See the Ten → ------ The three companies earn money differently, which explains why they don't always trade in tandem: Sunrun installs home solar and battery systems, largely under long-term leases it finances, while Enphase Energy sells microinverters and First Solar makes utility-scale panels. Sunrun's economics therefore hinge on borrowing costs as well as on what homeowners will sign. For Sunrun, the no-upfront-cost subscription model is sold through power purchase agreements, leases and direct purchases. It is funded by non-recourse asset-level debt securitizations, tax equity partnerships and investment tax credit transfers, so higher capital costs flow straight into unit economics. Customer agreements generate the recurring revenue that supports Sunrun's business. Meanwhile, a third-party asset sale arrangement has driven rapid growth in product sales. Home solar has faced softer residential demand and tariff and trade policy uncertainty on panels and batteries, along with the expiration of the federal Section 25D residential clean energy tax credit and modifications under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. Net metering changes remain another risk. Facing that pressure, Sunrun trimmed its full-year outlook for subscriber value and cash generation, citing softer affiliate channel volumes and a slower-than-expected direct sales ramp. Management expects its expanded sales force to reach full productivity, which it says would let the company exit the year at a robust growth rate with higher unit margins. Battery storage is the brighter spot for Sunrun, which describes itself as America's largest provider of home battery storage and cites strong customer demand for storage-first offerings. Its distributed fleet also supplies on-demand dispatchable power through distributed power plant programs for utilities and hyperscalers. Beyond that, Sunrun is piloting a distributed AI data center program that places compute nodes in customer homes. Sunrun's early November results may indicate if the expanded sales force is reaching full productivity. A steadier read on subscriber additions and cash generation could help Sunrun shares find stronger ground. It's worth tracking whether Sunrun stock holds its one-year low before the report, and keeping position sizes modest. Strong home battery interest and new grid programs offer a credible upside case, but policy and demand risks weigh heavily on Sunrun shares. If you have cash sitting in your account right now, give this two minutes. After more than two decades of helping investors beat the market, our top analysts at 24/7 Wall St. put together a definitive report on the Top 10 Stocks To Buy Today. And ENPH wasn't one of them. They combed the entire market. It's not 10 ideas, not 10 stocks everyone is talking about, it's what their research points to as the 10 best stocks to buy right now, and it's free. Read more here and see which stocks made the list -->> Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

First Solar, Inc. (FSLR), headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a solar technology company that provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions. Valued at $19.3 billion by market cap, the company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with thin film semiconductor technology that provides conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules. The renewable giant is expected to announce its fiscal third-quarter earnings for 2026 in the near term. Ahead of the event, analysts expect First Solar to report a profit of $4.64 per share on a diluted basis, up 9.4% from $4.24 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on two other occasions. - What Do the US President and I Have in Common? - Higher US Output and Warmer Temps Weigh on Nat-Gas Prices - Threats to Global Supplies Push Crude Oil Prices Sharply Higher - Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! For the full year, analysts expect First Solar to report EPS of $17.68, up 24.4% from $14.21 in fiscal 2025. Its EPS is expected to rise 37.4% year over year to $24.30 in fiscal 2027. FSLR stock has underperformed the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 19.2% gains over the past 52 weeks, with shares down 18.9% during this period. Similarly, it notably lagged behind the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLK) 37.3% returns over the same time frame. First Solar's underperformance stems from growing investor caution surrounding the macroeconomic and regulatory landscape for U.S. solar demand. Despite maintaining a robust contracted backlog, the company posted a 4% year over year decline in net sales during Q2 2026. Investor sentiment has been further strained by intense tariff uncertainties, shifting trade policies, and subsequent securities class action lawsuits alleging that leadership downplayed the financial toll of facility underutilization and production onshoring costs. Management's own warnings regarding how evolving legislative frameworks could pressure module demand, pricing structures, and operational costs, alongside sharp analyst downgrades have continued to weigh heavily on the stock. On Jul. 30, FSLR shares closed up by 3.4% after reporting its Q2 results. Its EPS of $3.92 surpassed Wall Street expectations of $2.74. The company's revenue was $1.1 billion, matching Wall Street forecasts. FSLR expects full-year revenue in the range of $4.9 billion to $5.2 billion. Analysts' consensus opinion on FSLR stock is reasonably bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Out of 34 analysts covering the stock, 20 advise a "Strong Buy" rating, three suggest a "Moderate Buy," nine give a "Hold," and two recommend a "Strong Sell." FSLR's average analyst price target is $266.71, indicating a potential upside of 48.4% from the current levels. On the date of publication, Neha Panjwani did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

First Solar (FSLR) is back under the microscope after the stock slipped 1.74% on a day when broader indices advanced, which is sharpening attention on the company's upcoming earnings release. Recent trading around First Solar reflects fading momentum, with the share price down 13.82% over the past 30 days and 22.25% over 90 days, while the 1-year total shareholder return has declined 24.13%, even though the 5-year total shareholder return remains positive at 76.96%. Compare First Solar's setup before earnings with hand-picked peers by scanning 31 high quality undervalued stocks that may offer similar exposure on more appealing terms. After a slide like this, some investors will want to pounce on First Solar, while others will prefer to wait for a reset. Does the current valuation justify stepping in now, or is it better to keep dry powder ready? On the narrative view, First Solar's estimated fair value of $263 sits well above the last close of $174.61, which puts the focus on whether that gap reflects policy worries or a mispriced cash flow stream. First Solar is a policy-sensitive franchise with a contracted industrial book. The Q2 margin print and 45.1 GW backlog say the franchise is working. The drawdown from $321 to $196 suggests the market is looking for a wider margin of safety on Washington. That discount is the entry, not the thesis-breaker, unless 45X or DCR actually breaks. See why 7 investors see First Solar as 34% undervalued. Result: Fair Value of $263 (UNDERVALUED) Still, the First Solar narrative can fray quickly if Section 45X support is cut earlier than expected or if new U.S. bookings reset closer to India pricing. Find out about the key risks to this First Solar narrative. If the First Solar debate so far feels split, take a few minutes to review the numbers yourself and evaluate the more optimistic perspectives. To see what optimists are focusing on, go straight to the 4 key rewards If First Solar has sharpened your thinking, do not stop here. Fresh ideas often come from comparing it with very different businesses and setups. Use the Simply Wall St Screener to pressure test your approach and spot opportunities you might otherwise miss. - Hunt for strong balance sheets and solid fundamentals by scanning our list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (26 results), which can help anchor a more resilient portfolio. - Target potential value opportunities early by checking companies in the 19 high quality undiscovered gems before they appear on everyone else's radar. - Dial down portfolio stress by focusing on stability with the 31 resilient stocks with low risk scores, which filters for businesses with lower overall risk scores. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include FSLR. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? First Solar (FSLR), which belongs to the Zacks Solar industry, could be a great candidate to consider. When looking at the last two reports, this largest U.S. solar company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 27.63%, on average, in the last two quarters. For the most recent quarter, First Solar was expected to post earnings of $2.74 per share, but it reported $3.92 per share instead, representing a surprise of 43.07%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $2.87 per share, while it actually produced $3.22 per share, a surprise of 12.20%. Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for First Solar lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. First Solar currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.64%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q2 behind us, let’s have a look at First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and its peers. Renewable energy companies are buoyed by the secular trend of green energy that is upending traditional power generation. Those who innovate and evolve with this dynamic market can win share while those who continue to rely on legacy technologies can see diminishing demand, which includes headwinds from increasing regulation against “dirty” energy. Additionally, these companies are at the whim of economic cycles, as interest rates can impact the willingness to invest in renewable energy projects. The 15 renewable energy stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 7.9% below. In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results. Headquartered in Arizona, First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) specializes in manufacturing solar panels and providing photovoltaic solar energy solutions. First Solar reported revenues of $1.06 billion, down 3.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates. Interestingly, the stock is up 5.9% since reporting and currently trades at $218.23. Is now the time to buy First Solar? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Working in stealth mode for eight years, Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE) designs, manufactures, and markets solid oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation. Bloom Energy reported revenues of $1.07 billion, up 166% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 27.7%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates. Bloom Energy pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 40.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $234.50. Is now the time to buy Bloom Energy? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. Pioneering the use of lithium-ion batteries for grid storage, Fluence (NASDAQ:FLNC) helps store renewable energy sources with battery systems. Fluence Energy reported revenues of $649.8 million, up 7.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 18.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly. Fluence Energy delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 10.9% since the results and currently trades at $12.69. Read our full analysis of Fluence Energy’s results here. With its name deriving from a combination of “generating” and “AC”, Generac (NYSE:GNRC) offers generators and other power products for residential, industrial, and commercial use. Generac reported revenues of $1.17 billion, up 10.6% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. Zooming out, it was actually a very strong quarter as it put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates. The stock is up 13.1% since reporting and currently trades at $221.23. Read our full, actionable report on Generac here, it’s free. Established in 2006, SolarEdge (NASDAQ: SEDG) creates advanced systems to improve the efficiency of solar panels. SolarEdge reported revenues of $346.2 million, up 19.6% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. More broadly, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but revenue guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly. The stock is down 37% since reporting and currently trades at $30.73. Read our full, actionable report on SolarEdge here, it’s free. Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership. Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products. By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

Shares of First Solar Inc. FSLR gained 2.5% on July 31, 2026, following the release of its second-quarter results after the market closed on July 30. The stock continued its upward momentum over subsequent trading sessions, surging 18.3% since the announcement. The solar panel manufacturer comfortably surpassed Wall Street's earnings expectations, despite narrowly missing revenue estimates. This rally in FSLR’s share price reflects increased investor optimism surrounding its strong profitability. The earnings beat, driven by expanding gross margins and strong operational execution, coupled with reaffirmed full-year guidance, provides confidence in FSLR's near-term momentum and reinforces its position as the largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States. However, direct equity ownership in FSLR carries distinct single-stock concentration risks. As a domestic manufacturer, First Solar’s long-term profitability remains heavily dependent on federal policy incentives as well as favorable trade protections against foreign solar module imports. Against this backdrop, investors looking to capitalize on First Solar's upward momentum while maintaining a diversified approach may want to focus on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that hold significant exposure to the stock. But before identifying those specific ETFs, it is worth taking a closer look at the key metrics behind First Solar's impressive quarterly beat and the solid contracted backlog that underpins its multi-year outlook. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.2%, while revenues missed the consensus mark by 0.4%. A similar trend was visible on a year-over-year basis as well, with its top line declining 4% but bottom line improving 23.3%. The sales decline was on account of lower revenues associated with customer contract terminations. The company reached an important milestone in the second quarter, exceeding 100 gigawatts (GW) of cumulative module sales globally. As of June 30, 2026, FSLR’s contracted backlog totaled 45.1 GW with an aggregate transaction value of $13.6 billion. Its gross margin expanded 1180 basis points (bps) from the second quarter of 2025, driven by net IEEPA tariff-related benefit, higher mix of modules qualifying for Section 45X tax credits and lower logistics costs. Looking ahead, FSLR’s South Carolina facility is expected to provide up to 3.5 GW of finishing capacity for modules, with the first phase of the finishing facility remaining on track to begin production in the second half of 2026. FSLR expects the second phase of the facility to be completed by mid-2027. The company expects its 2026 results to reflect a net-tariff impact of $60 million to $80 million. Invesco Solar ETF TAN This fund, with a market value worth $1.41 billion, provides exposure to 35 companies from the solar energy industry. Of these, First Solar takes the first spot, holding 10.60% of the fund. TAN has gained 8.7% year to date and charges 70 basis points (bps) in fees. Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF VCLN This fund, with net assets worth $5.6 million, provides exposure to companies involved in clean energy innovation and commercialization across the utility, industrial, technology and energy sectors. First Solar takes the first spot in VCLN's holdings, comprising 8.71% of the fund. VCLN has rallied 12.2% year to date and charges 59 bps in fees. iShares Global Clean Energy ETF ICLN This fund, with net assets worth $2.25 billion, offers exposure to 105 global companies involved in clean energy. Of these, First Solar takes the first spot, holding 8.67% of the fund. ICLN has risen 12.2% year to date and charges 39 bps in fees. Global X CleanTech ETF CTEC This fund, with net assets worth $25.5 million, offers exposure to 40 companies involved in renewable energy production, energy storage, smart grid implementation, residential/commercial energy efficiency, and/or the production and provision of pollution-reducing products and solutions. Of these, First Solar takes the second spot, holding 7.43% of the fund. CTEC has rallied 10.1% year to date and charges 50 bps in fees. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Invesco Solar ETF (TAN): ETF Research Reports iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN): ETF Research Reports Global X ClimateTech ETF (CTEC): ETF Research Reports This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. SEDG reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 6 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents by 50%. The result marked a sharp improvement from the year-ago loss of 81 cents per share.Barring one-time adjustments, the company incurred a GAAP loss of 50 cents per share compared with a GAAP loss of $2.13 in the year-ago period. Revenues increased 19.6% year over year to $346.2 million and surpassed the consensus estimate of $343 million by 1.3%. Strong European demand and U.S. commercial and industrial activity offset softness in the U.S. residential market. Battery volume reached 426 megawatt-hours. SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. Quote Adjusted gross profit rose to $98.7 million from $36.9 million in the prior-year quarter. The adjusted gross margin expanded to 28.6% from 13.1%, representing the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year gross margin improvement.The reported margin included a $13.3 million benefit related to tariff matters under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Even with that contribution, the widening margin and stronger revenue base helped SolarEdge return to adjusted operating profitability for the first time since the second quarter of 2023.Adjusted operating expenses were $88.5 million compared with $85.2 million a year earlier. However, the improvement in gross profit more than offset the modest increase in expenses, resulting in adjusted operating income of $10.2 million.SEDG had recorded an adjusted operating loss of $48.3 million in the prior-year period. SEDG recognized revenues from approximately 62,600 inverters during the quarter, up from 50,500 in the first quarter. Optimizer volume increased sequentially to nearly 2.49 million units from roughly 2.44 million.Battery volume climbed to 426 megawatt-hours from 331 megawatt-hours in the preceding quarter. The sharp sequential increase supports the strong battery revenue performance and highlights the product category’s growing importance within SEDG’s sales mix. Cash and cash equivalents reached $527.3 million as of June 30, 2026, up from $455.1 million at the end of 2025.As of the same date, total long-term liabilities were $971.1 million compared with $951.2 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.The net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2026 amounted to $35.84 million compared with $26.02 million in the year-ago period. For the third quarter of 2026, the company expects revenues to be between $310 million and $340 million. The midpoint of $325 million implies a sequential decline from the second-quarter level. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $377.18 million, higher than the company’s guided range.Adjusted gross margin is projected between 22% and 26%, while adjusted operating expenses are expected in the range of $86 million to $91 million. The guidance excludes potential third-quarter tariff refunds and assumes no significant revenue pull-forward. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. First Solar, Inc. FSLR reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $3.92 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.74 by 43.1%. The bottom line increased 23.3% from $3.18 in the year-ago quarter. FSLR’s net sales of $1.06 billion missed the consensus estimate of $1.061 billion by 0.4% and declined 3.7% year over year.Enphase Energy, Inc. ENPH reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 46 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the bottom line declined 33.3% from 69 cents in the prior-year quarter.ENPH’s second-quarter revenues of $291.9 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $295 million by 1%. The top line also decreased 19.6% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure of $363.2 million. Canadian Solar Inc. CSIQ is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 27, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSIQ’s second-quarter loss is pegged at $1.01 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 90.6%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSIQ’s second-quarter sales is pegged at $1.17 billion, implying a year-over-year decline of 31.2%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (SEDG) : Free Stock Analysis Report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

First Solar, Inc. FSLR reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $3.92 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.74 by 43.1%. The bottom line increased 23.3% from $3.18 in the year-ago quarter, aided by gross-margin expansion and a stronger mix of U.S.-made modules. Net sales of $1.06 billion missed the consensus estimate of $1.061 billion by 0.4% and declined 3.7% year over year.Contracted backlog stood at 45.1 gigawatts, valued at about $13.6 billion, through 2030. First Solar, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | First Solar, Inc. Quote In the second quarter, the company’s gross profit was $605 million, which rose 21% from $499.9 million in the year-ago quarter.Total operating expenses jumped 11.8% year over year to $154.6 million.FSLR reported an operating income of $450.4 million compared with $361.6 million in the year-ago quarter. First Solar had $1.69 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026, down from $2.80 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.The company had no long-term debt as of the same date compared with $282.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.Net cash used in operating activities amounted to $359.8 million during the first six months of 2026 compared with $458.4 million in the year-ago period. FSLR still expects its sales to be in the range of $4.9-$5.2 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is pegged at $5.07 billion, which lies above the midpoint of the company’s guided range.First Solar still expects gross profit to be in the band of $2.4-$2.6 billion. Its operating expenses are anticipated to be in the $610-$635 million range.First Solar projects module shipments to be in the band of 17-18.2 gigawatts. The company expects its 2026 capital expenditure to be in the range of $0.8-$1 billion. First Solar currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Enphase Energy, Inc. ENPH reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 46 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the bottom line declined 33.3% from 69 cents in the prior-year quarter.Enphase Energy’s second-quarter revenues of $291.9 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $295 million by 1%. The top line also decreased 19.6% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure of $363.2 million. SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. SEDG is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SEDG’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at four cents per share.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SEDG’s second-quarter sales is pegged at $341.7 million, implying a year-over-year improvement of 18%.Array Technologies ARRY is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARRY’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at 11 cents per share.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARRY’s second-quarter sales is pegged at $323.8 million. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Array Technologies, Inc. (ARRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (SEDG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Net Sales: Approximately $1.06 billion in Q2 2026, a decrease of about 4% year-over-year. Gross Margin: Approximately 57%, an increase of about 12 percentage points compared to Q2 2025. Net Income: $423 million, up approximately 24% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA: $644 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 61%. Operating Expenses: Approximately $155 million, including $76 million of R&D expense. Contracted Backlog: 45.1 gigawatts with an aggregate transaction value of $13.6 billion. US Gross Bookings: Approximately 1.9 gigawatts at an average selling price of approximately $0.36 per watt. India Gross Bookings: Approximately 1.1 gigawatts at an average selling price of approximately $0.20 per watt. Operating Cash Flow: Outflows of $360 million year-to-date, improved from outflows of $458 million in the first half of 2025. Capital Expenditures: $280 million in the first half, primarily supporting the South Carolina finishing facility and technology investments. Net Cash: Approximately $1.7 billion at the end of the quarter. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with FSLR. Is FSLR fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: July 30, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) achieved record second-quarter and first-half sales volume, generating over $1 billion in net sales with a gross margin expansion to approximately 57%. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) surpassed a significant milestone of 100 gigawatts in cumulative module sales globally, reflecting strong customer trust and a durable technology platform. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) maintains a robust contracted backlog of 45.1 gigawatts with deliveries extending through 2030, providing high volume and pricing visibility. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) is making progress with its CuRe technology, with performance exceeding expectations and initiating customer notifications for contractual adjusters, which is expected to enhance future revenue. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) continues to see strong demand from hyperscalers and data center developers, with recent bookings and project announcements supporting this trend. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) ended the quarter with approximately $1.7 billion in net cash, providing substantial balance sheet strength and financial flexibility. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) faces uncertainty and potential negative impacts from the pending Section 232 polysilicon investigation and tariffs, which could affect its international manufacturing operations. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) is experiencing higher over-the-road freight costs due to capacity tightening and diesel price volatility, which are partially offsetting logistics improvements. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) is incurring underutilization costs of approximately $30 million per quarter for its Southeast Asia manufacturing facilities while awaiting policy clarity on Section 232. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) is operating in a challenging rising commodity cost environment, with pressures on steel, aluminum, and electricity prices impacting input costs. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) faces potential delays in the Section 232 decision, which could extend policy uncertainty and keep customers on the sidelines, impacting near-term bookings momentum. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) is experiencing higher R&D expenses, including an impairment of certain R&D equipment no longer expected to be used in its technology roadmap. Q: How much of the 1.9 gigawatts in US gross bookings came from the Google-Steel River project, and how are you seeing general interest from the hyperscaler data center community?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, clarified that the Steel River project was already in the contracted backlog and was highlighted as a strategic win. He noted that recent announcements, including projects with Cypress Creek, Terra-Gen, and Panamint, total about 5 gigawatts of capacity, with half directly tied to hyperscalers like Google. He emphasized that hyperscalers prioritize supply certainty and reliability, which positions First Solar's domestic manufacturing and technology as a key advantage, and demand from this segment remains "insatiable." Q: What are your latest thoughts on the timing and potential impact of the Section 232 investigation, and how quickly will you move on your Southeast Asia strategy once you get clarity?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, stated that the policy is still evolving, but the company remains optimistic about a constructive outcome and is in constant contact with USTR and Commerce. He noted that demand is sitting on the sidelines, with ~2 GW booked in July, over 2 GW in contracts subject to CP, and another 2 GW in active conversations. Alex Bradley, CFO, added that the company is holding a decision on the ~1.8 GW of fully finished international capacity in Malaysia and Vietnam pending the 232 outcome, viewing it as an option. Q: If Section 232 waivers or quotas are granted for certain domestic cell producers, could that mute the price upside from the policy?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, acknowledged that any modifications versus a 100% restriction could have a dilutive impact on the strategic incentive. He stated the company is advocating to minimize such impacts and believes waivers would disincentivize domestic investment. Alex Bradley, CFO, cited the Section 201 tariff history, where a technology exemption "gutted" the provision, and argued that carve-outs don't make sense for a national security interest provision. Q: Can you elaborate on the potential permutations and timeline for the remaining Southeast Asia capacity, and would you bring that volume into the US as finished or unfinished products?A: Alex Bradley, CFO, explained that the company could bring fully finished product in, subject to demand and pricing, but it's also dependent on other tariff provisions like Section 301. He noted there is limited incremental capacity (a couple of hundred megawatts) in existing US finishing lines for semi-finished WIP. The key is finding a way to run the international factories at close to full capacity, which could involve selling fully finished product or potentially building another US finishing line, though that is less likely due to site and power availability. Q: How should we think about the Safe Harbor having played into the latest quarter, and how are you thinking about it as a leading indicator for future sales?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, noted that most of the 1.9 GW of US bookings occurred in July, outside the Safe Harbor date. He explained that the recent court ruling on the modular 5% CapEx rule came too late in the quarter to have an impact. He emphasized that Safe Harbor requirements, particularly FEOC restrictions for projects CODing in 2030, position First Solar well to serve demand in '29 and '30, as customers are being conservative to avoid jeopardizing their ITC or PTC. Q: What is your view on the timing of the Section 232 decision, and do you think it could slip past August into the fall?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, said he cannot give a strong view on whether it will be August or September, but the company is patient and engaged. He stated that the administration is signaling decisions are close, but the most important thing is that the implementation achieves the strategic intent and spirit of the policy. He reiterated that the industry needs certainty. Q: Are there opportunities to reduce input costs on US manufacturing, and how is the supply chain evolving on a multiyear basis?A: Mark Widmar, CEO, acknowledged a challenging rising commodity cost environment, with pressure on steel, aluminum, and fuel. He highlighted levers like driving more throughput, automation, and product redesign (e.g., back rails and glass thickness). He noted that CuRe's efficiency gains will help reduce cost per watt. Alex Bradley, CFO, added that the company could use its balance sheet to work with suppliers on expansion funding for forward pricing, and is optimizing domestic transport routes as freight costs are now approaching international shipping economics. Q: Can you explain what you are targeting with your current balance sheet regarding M&A, and where do you see possibilities for First Solar?A: Alex Bradley, CFO, stated that M&A is on the list of uses of cash, but the focus has been on working capital, capacity growth, and R&D. He mentioned the obvious area for expansion is technology-adjacent things, such as companies, teams, or IP that could accelerate the perovskite transition. He emphasized a disciplined focus, leveraging the company's strength in high-volume thin-film manufacturing, while evaluating the competitive landscape, market environment, and policy before moving into adjacent areas. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.