Does The Street Have First Solar Figured Out?

First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 26. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict First Solar's revenues will expand 100.3% and EPS will expand 38.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $1.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Revenue details
Last quarter, First Solar logged revenue of $839.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 17% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.01 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.27. GAAP EPS of $1.00 for Q3 were 56% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.25 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 28.4%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 15.6%, 740 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, 900 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.62 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.61.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 3,153 members out of 3,895 rating the stock outperform, and 742 members rating it underperform. Among 623 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 424 give First Solar a green thumbs-up, and 199 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on First Solar is hold, with an average price target of $20.40.

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