New York, January 25, 2026, 18:11 EST — Market closed.
- Shares of First Solar climbed roughly 1% Friday, ending the day at $242.15.
- The stock remains roughly 15% off its 52-week peak reached in December.
- Investors start the week eyeing the Fed’s rate decision alongside the upcoming wave of U.S. earnings.
First Solar, Inc. shares climbed 1.03% on Friday, closing at $242.15 and wrapping up the week with a modest gain as the broader market treaded carefully. The stock still sits 15.33% below its 52-week peak of $285.99, reached on Dec. 22, highlighting the volatility solar stocks face amid shifts in rates and policy news. 1
The timing is crucial as the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting is set for Jan. 27–28, with the rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Changes in borrowing costs hit solar-related stocks directly, particularly for developers who depend heavily on financing. 2
Investors face a packed earnings calendar and little tolerance for surprises after a volatile start to the year. “It’s been a … short but steep roller-coaster ride,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at PNC Financial Services Group, reflecting on recent market swings. Chris Galipeau of Franklin Templeton put it bluntly: “earnings are the driver.” 3
On Friday, First Solar’s shares fluctuated from $237.92 to $246.40, with roughly 1.94 million shares traded, per Yahoo Finance data. The stock ended the day with a slight uptick, while the S&P 500 barely moved and the Dow fell. 4
Among First Solar’s listed peers, a few also closed higher. Sunrun topped the group for the day, with SolarEdge making a modest gain.
First Solar’s next key date is about a month away, with the market eyeing its quarterly earnings around Feb. 24, per estimates on Yahoo Finance. 5
Traders will focus on any new information about contracted demand and pricing. The company’s order “backlog” — the value of signed contracts not yet recognized as revenue — often moves the stock more than headline earnings beats.
Rates remain the focal point on the tape. A softer yield environment could boost the entire solar sector, but a hawkish twist can slam it fast, even with little company news.
That said, the setup works both ways. Should the Fed hint at fewer rate cuts or markets begin factoring in higher rates lasting longer, solar stocks could slip as investors adjust valuations on long-term cash flows and rethink project profitability.
The initial real test arrives Wednesday with the Fed statement and Powell’s press conference. For First Solar, the next key date after that is its anticipated late-February earnings report, along with any accompanying guidance.
