AES Corp vs First Solar, Inc. — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.7 (market cap $10.49B), while First Solar, Inc. trades at $227.62 (market cap $25.89B). The key difference: First Solar, Inc. is far larger — about 2.5× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays a 4.79% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | FSLR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.49B | $25.89B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $318.30 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $180.05 |
Enterprise Value | $40.75B | $24.36B |
Dividend Yield | 4.79% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.725, down 0.03% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company shows strong profitability with a 14.34% net income margin and a low P/E of 5.51. Recent news highlights a pending $33.4 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT, approved by stockholders in June 2026, alongside a quarterly dividend of $0.17595 per share.
The stock offers a high dividend yield and appears undervalued based on earnings, but faces risks from the acquisition's regulatory scrutiny and a recent earnings miss. Upside is capped near the $15 buyout price if the deal closes, while downside exists if approvals fail. Analyst sentiment is mixed with no sell ratings but a majority on hold.
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $228.27, down 4.62% on the day, amid mixed signals. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. Fundamentally, the company reported robust revenue growth to $5.22B in 2025, with a net income margin of 29.27%, while recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026. However, multiple class-action lawsuits filed in August 2026 create near-term legal overhang.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus favoring a buy rating with a $282.07 price target, implying significant upside. Key risks include legal proceedings and competitive pressures in the solar sector. Earnings growth and operational cash flow strength support long-term value, but investors should weigh legal uncertainties against fundamental strengths.
Trailing returns across standard periods
AES is a global power company operating across 14 countries and 4 continents. Its current generation portfolio as of year-end 2021 consists of over 31 gigawatts of generation, with the generation mix composed of renewables (43%), gas (32%), coal (23%), and oil (2%). The company has 3.5 gigawatts of generation under construction. AES has majority ownership and operates six electric utilities distributing power to 2.6 million customers.
Read more on AES →First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and a new factory under construction in India.
Read more on FSLR →