New York, Jan 18, 2026, 19:45 (ET) — Market closed
- U.S. markets will be closed on Monday, pushing the next update on First Solar’s momentum to Tuesday.
- Traders are digesting new tariff headlines alongside the interest-rate outlook as this week’s data rolls in.
First Solar shares ended the day barely changed, up just 0.04% to $243.73, after bouncing between $243.01 and $248.43. Roughly 2 million shares traded hands. U.S. stock and bond markets are closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (MarketWatch)
The pause is significant since solar stocks usually respond to changes in risk appetite and interest-rate expectations, particularly when policy news coincides with a packed economic schedule. With cash markets closed, the initial sentiment is showing up in futures and currencies rather than in the actual stocks.
First Solar, based in the U.S., stands out as a top maker of thin‑film photovoltaic panels, which differ from the usual crystalline‑silicon modules dominating the market. Because of this, investors often use it as a proxy to gain direct exposure to “U.S. manufacturing” without getting tangled in the broader solar supply chain. (Firstsolar)
Activity in the solar sector was muted ahead of the long weekend. The Invesco Solar ETF edged down 0.2% at the last close. Enphase dropped 1.1%, with SolarEdge and Sunrun holding steady.
Overnight, macro factors took center stage. U.S. stock futures dropped following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new tariffs on multiple European countries. S&P 500 futures fell roughly 0.9% amid light holiday volume, Reuters reported. Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos called it “a weaponization of capital rather than trade flows” — and said that would be far more disruptive for markets. (Reuters)
First Solar remains vulnerable to market swings despite no company-specific news, as broad selloffs and climbing yields tend to hit rate-sensitive sectors hard. Tuesday’s open faces pressure from a crowded week of postponed U.S. inflation and consumption reports, alongside a new wave of corporate earnings. (Reuters)
There’s another angle to consider. If tariff talk dies down or bond yields drop, solar stocks could bounce back fast. Short-covering often kicks in early, once liquidity picks up after a long weekend.
First Solar’s next earnings release is expected Tuesday, Feb. 24, after the market closes, according to MarketBeat. The company hasn’t officially confirmed the date yet. Investors will be watching closely for updates on bookings, pricing trends, margins, and any changes in guidance. (Marketbeat)
