New York, Jan 24, 2026, 20:12 EST — Market closed.
- First Solar shares gained 1.03% to close at $242.15 on Friday, still roughly 15% off their 52-week peak.
- In a note dated Jan. 22, Citi swapped out First Solar for Generac as its leading renewables pick, The Fly’s tracker shows.
First Solar Inc (FSLR.O) shares closed Friday up 1.03%, finishing at $242.15 after trading in a range from $237.92 to $246.40. Investors digested new broker notes while gearing up for the upcoming earnings season.
Citi’s change in preference comes at a sensitive time for the stock. Investors want clearer insight into 2026 volumes and costs, and whether management can stick to guidance matching what analysts have baked into their models.
Tariffs and trade rules remain entrenched in the background, with no signs of easing. At Davos on Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk commented, “Unfortunately, the tariff barriers for solar are extremely high and that makes the economics of deploying solar artificially high.” Reuters
Bank of America cut its price target to $271 from $291 but maintained a buy rating, The Fly reported.
First Solar announced earlier this week that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected three “inter partes review” petitions challenging its TOPCon patents. These petitions are a way to dispute the validity of a patent. “First Solar believes the USPTO properly exercised its discretion,” said Jason Dymbort, the company’s executive vice president and general counsel. TipRanks
Tempe, Arizona–based First Solar produces thin-film solar modules, focusing mainly on utility-scale projects. This strategy differentiates it from competitors reliant on crystalline silicon supply chains.
Legal chatter is stirring too. On Thursday, Pomerantz LLP announced it’s probing claims for First Solar investors, citing a Jan. 7 downgrade by Jefferies and the rapid stock plunge that came right after.
With U.S. markets closed until Monday, traders will be eyeing any shifts in broker forecasts for 2026 and scanning policy updates for impact on the wider solar sector. The next big catalyst? Quarterly earnings and guidance. According to Zacks’ calendar, the focus lands on Feb. 24.
