First Solar, Inc. vs 3M Company — how do they compare? First Solar, Inc. trades at $213.54 (market cap $24.05B), while 3M Company trades at $161.86 (market cap $83.73B). The key difference: 3M Company is far larger — about 3.5× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and 3M Company pays a 1.94% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FSLR | MMM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.05B | $83.73B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $318.30 | $174.61 |
52-Week Low | $166.82 | $141.10 |
Enterprise Value | $22.21B | $92.13B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.94% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $213.15, down 3.37% amid bearish technical signals and class action lawsuit headlines. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 14.46, net income margin of 30.73%, and robust cash flow growth, though recent earnings misses and legal overhangs weigh on sentiment. Revenue climbed to $5.22B in 2025, with projected growth to $5.4B in 2026, supported by expanding operating cash flows.
The outlook balances solid profitability and analyst bullishness (60% buy ratings, $275.17 target) against near-term legal risks and technical weakness. Upside hinges on lawsuit resolution and execution of growth forecasts, while downside risks include prolonged litigation and competitive pressures in solar tech.
3M (MMM) trades at $162.41, up 3.7% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and strong recent earnings beats. The stock shows robust profitability with a 39.71% gross margin and 72.14% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 30.93 appear elevated. Recent news highlights demand for safety products from wildfire smoke and a new Airbus supply agreement, while Q2 2026 earnings are anticipated at $2.27 EPS on July 21.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with analyst consensus at Buy (45%) and a $143 price target below current levels, indicating limited upside. Risks include consumer segment weakness and high debt, but cost optimization and diversified operations provide stability. The stock's momentum depends on continued earnings delivery and macroeconomic conditions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →3M Company conducts operations in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer and office, health care, safety, and other markets. The Company businesses share technologies, manufacturing operations, marketing channels, and other resources. 3M serves customers worldwide.
Read more on MMM →