First Solar, Inc. vs Illumina, Inc. — how do they compare? First Solar, Inc. trades at $177.82 (market cap $19.22B), while Illumina, Inc. trades at $278.17 (market cap $39.95B). The key difference: Illumina, Inc. is far larger — about 2.1× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and Illumina, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, First Solar, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold First Solar, Inc. for 76 Days and Illumina, Inc. for 83 Days on average.
| FSLR | ILMN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $19.22B | $39.95B |
Volume | 2,067,793 | 3,169,503 |
Sector | Energy | Health |
52-Week High | $318.30 | $293.69 |
52-Week Low | $172.11 | $91.00 |
Typical Hold Time | 76 Days | 83 Days |
Enterprise Value | $17.69B | $41.31B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $178.85, down 0.71% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and key support at $175. Fundamentally, the company shows strong profitability with a 32.47% net income margin and robust revenue growth, though it recently missed Q4 2025 EPS estimates. Recent news includes a patent lawsuit filing and elevated put option activity, reflecting mixed sentiment amid sector-wide pressures from high borrowing costs.
The outlook balances solid fundamentals against near-term headwinds. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $267.59 price target, but risks include solar industry volatility, interest rate sensitivity, and competitive challenges. Earnings growth and execution on guidance are critical for stock performance.
ILMN trades at $264.40, down 1.25% on the day, but remains near its recent 52-week high of $278.99 (Defense World, 2026-10-01). The stock has surged 94.9% year-to-date (Zacks Investment Research, 2026-09-24), supported by strong earnings beats in recent quarters and a bullish technical trend. Fundamentals show a significant turnaround, with 2025 net income reaching $850 million after prior losses, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 49.36 are elevated. The pending inclusion in the S&P 500 (PRNewsWire, 2026-09-04) adds a positive catalyst.
The outlook is positive, driven by sequencing growth, AI integration in genomics, and improved profitability. However, risks include high valuation sensitivity, cost volatility, and competitive pressures in the life sciences sector. Analyst consensus is bullish with a 54% buy rating, but the average price target of $241 suggests limited near-term upside from current levels.
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Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Illumina provides tools and services to analyze genetic material with life science and clinical lab applications. The company generates over 90% of its revenue from sequencing instruments, consumables, and services. Illumina's high-throughput technology enables whole genome sequencing in humans and other large organisms. Its lower throughput tools enable applications that require smaller data outputs, such as viral and cancer tumor screening. Illumina also sells microarrays (less than 10% of sales) that enable lower-cost, focused genetic screening with primarily consumer and agricultural applications.
Read more on ILMN →