What's Going On With First Solar (FSLR) Stock?

First Solar Inc FSLR shares are flat during Tuesday’s trading session. Traders and investors are anticipating the company’s second-quarter earnings report, set to be released after the market closes on Tuesday. Analyst consensus estimates project FSLR’s earnings per share (EPS) at $2.69, with revenue expected to reach $941.538 million.

First Solar’s shares have fallen recently due to a mix of factors related to the Biden administration’s decision to double tariffs on Chinese solar panels. The increased tariffs introduced market uncertainty, which often leads to investor nervousness and price declines. Higher tariffs could also raise costs for solar panel components, potentially squeezing First Solar’s profit margins.

Additionally, the U.S. market’s current oversupply of solar panels could lead to lower prices and reduced demand, impacting the company's sales. The stock drop occurred just before First Solar's earnings report, adding to investor anxiety about potential negative impacts from the tariffs. Lastly, there are concerns that despite the tariffs, Chinese competitors might still find ways to stay competitive, further pressuring the U.S. market.

Read Also: U.S. Tariff On Chinese Solar Panels Creates ‘Level Playing Field,’ Says First Solar CEO

How To Buy FSLR Stock

By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for First Solar – be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.

Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of possible trading platforms here. Many will allow you to buy ‘fractional shares,' which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, like Berkshire Hathaway, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so.

In the the case of First Solar, which is trading at $220.65 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 0.45 shares of stock.

If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to ‘go short' a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a stock can be found at this resource. Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading – either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.

According to data from Benzinga Pro, FSLR has a 52-week high of $306.77 and a 52-week low of $129.22.