First Solar Inc. (FSLR): Today's Featured Electronics Winner

Jun 6, 2013 5:00 PM EDT

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model

First Solar ( FSLR) pushed the Electronics industry higher today making it today's featured electronics winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.9%. By the end of trading, First Solar rose $2.23 (4.4%) to $53.26 on light volume. Throughout the day, 4,409,257 shares of First Solar exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7,261,900 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $51.05-$53.29 after having opened the day at $51.14 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $51.03. Other companies within the Electronics industry that increased today were: Netlist ( NLST), up 44.2%, NeoPhotonics ( NPTN), up 15.2%, Alliance Fiber Optic Products ( AFOP), up 12.5% and Vimicro International Corporation ( VIMC), up 12.1%.

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First Solar, Inc. provides solar energy solutions. It operates in two segments, Components and Systems. The Components segment engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of solar modules that convert sunlight into electricity. First Solar has a market cap of $4.6 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 11.1, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 65.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there is 1 analyst that rates First Solar a buy, 4 analysts rate it a sell, and 11 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates First Solar as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and solid stock price performance. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company's profit margins have been poor overall.

You can view the full First Solar Ratings Report.

On the negative front, GigOptix ( GIG), down 13.8%, Orion Energy Systems ( OESX), down 6.8%, Faro Technologies ( FARO), down 5.2% and Pixelworks ( PXLW), down 4.4% , were all laggards within the electronics industry with Xilinx ( XLNX) being today's electronics industry laggard.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the electronics industry could consider iShares Dow Jones US Technology ( IYW) while those bearish on the electronics industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Semiconductor ( SSG).