Insider Trading March 17, 2026

First Solar CPO Sells $36,144 in Shares as Company Reports Weak Q4 and Lowers 2026 Revenue Outlook

Patrick James Buehler moved stock while First Solar contends with earnings miss, reduced guidance and several analyst target changes

By Maya Rios FSLR
First Solar CPO Sells $36,144 in Shares as Company Reports Weak Q4 and Lowers 2026 Revenue Outlook
FSLR

Patrick James Buehler, Chief Product Officer at First Solar, sold 180 shares on March 16 for $200.8 per share, netting $36,144. Earlier, on March 13, he received 427 shares from vested restricted stock units. The company’s stock remains up roughly 51% over the past year, trades near $200, and is assessed by InvestingPro as potentially undervalued with a P/E of 14.1. First Solar reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that missed expectations by 6% per Deutsche Bank and issued 2026 revenue guidance of $4.9 billion to $5.2 billion, about 17% below analyst estimates and roughly 3% below 2025 revenue. Multiple brokerages have adjusted ratings and price targets in response to the results and outlook.

Key Points

  • Insider activity: Chief Product Officer Patrick James Buehler sold 180 shares on March 16 at $200.8 per share, totaling $36,144, and received 427 shares via RSU vesting on March 13 at an acquisition price of $0.
  • Company performance: First Solars stock has returned roughly 51% over the past year and trades near $200, with InvestingPro noting a P/E of 14.1 that it views as indicative of potential undervaluation relative to near-term earnings growth.
  • Analyst and guidance shifts: Fourth-quarter 2025 results missed estimates by 6% (per Deutsche Bank); 2026 revenue guidance of $4.9 billion to $5.2 billion is about 17% below analyst expectations and about 3% below 2025 revenue, prompting multiple firms to lower targets or adjust ratings.

Patrick James Buehler, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) Chief Product Officer, reported an open-market sale of common stock on March 16. The filing shows 180 shares sold at $200.8 per share, producing gross proceeds of $36,144.

Earlier in the week, on March 13, Buehler recorded an acquisition of 427 shares that vested as restricted stock units. Those shares were obtained at a reported acquisition price of $0, reflecting the vesting of equity awards rather than a cash purchase.

First Solar shares have traded around the $200 level recently. Over the trailing 12 months the stock has delivered approximately a 51% total return, despite episodes of volatility. InvestingPro commentary referenced in filings indicates the stock may appear undervalued at current quotations, citing a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.1 relative to near-term earnings growth projections.

The insider transaction is disclosed against a backdrop of quarterly results and guidance that prompted multiple adjustments from sell-side analysts. Deutsche Bank noted the companys fourth-quarter 2025 results missed expectations by 6%.

First Solars revenue guidance for 2026 was issued in a range of $4.9 billion to $5.2 billion. That midpoint is described as roughly 17% below what analysts had been modeling and represents an approximately 3% decline from the prior years revenue level.

Following the earnings release and the new guidance, several broker-dealer research teams revised price targets and ratings. Guggenheim trimmed its target to $269 while retaining a Buy rating. GLJ Research downgraded First Solar from Buy to Hold, specifically citing the tepid 2026 revenue outlook.

Barclays lowered its price target to $228 but kept an Overweight recommendation. Deutsche Bank moved to a Hold rating and cut its price target to $245, attributing the action to the combination of the earnings shortfall and the weaker guidance. Jefferies reduced its price target to $205 and maintained a Hold rating, noting in its report a lack of clarity on the timing of a potential recovery.

Additional informational notes in company-related services indicate that InvestingPro subscribers can access eight additional tips about First Solar and comprehensive Pro Research Reports covering more than 1,400 other U.S. equities.


Contextual note: The transactions and analyst responses above are drawn from filings and published broker reports; the filings document the exact shares, pricing and dates of the insider sale and restricted stock vesting.

Risks

  • Earnings risk - The companys fourth-quarter 2025 results missed expectations by 6%, a factor that influenced analyst revisions and could affect investor sentiment in the solar and renewable energy sectors.
  • Guidance uncertainty - 2026 revenue guidance is roughly 17% below analyst expectations and implies a 3% decline year-over-year, creating uncertainty about near-term top-line stability in the solar manufacturing and power equipment markets.
  • Analyst outlook changes - Several brokerages reduced price targets or downgraded ratings following the results and guidance, which could influence capital markets activity and valuation perceptions for First Solar and related renewable energy suppliers.

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