First Solar, Inc. vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? First Solar, Inc. trades at $216 (market cap $24.05B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $302.25 (market cap $86.90B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 3.6× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and Valero Energy Corporation pays a 1.64% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FSLR | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.05B | $86.90B |
Sector | Technology | Energy |
52-Week High | $318.30 | $301.43 |
52-Week Low | $166.82 | $131.77 |
Enterprise Value | $22.21B | $92.66B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.64% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $220.58, down 0.2% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. The company shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 14.46, net income margin of 30.73%, and robust cash flow from operations of $2.06B in 2025. Recent earnings beat in Q1 2026 but missed in prior quarters. Multiple class-action lawsuits filed in July 2026 allege securities fraud, creating near-term legal overhang.
The stock presents a mixed outlook: solid profitability and analyst consensus price target of $275.17 suggest upside, but legal risks and bearish technicals weigh. Investors face tension between strong financial health and potential volatility from litigation outcomes.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $301.43, up 1.91% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving averages. Recent earnings consistently beat estimates, with Q1 2026 EPS of $4.22 versus $3.16 expected. Revenue declined to $122.69B in 2025 but net income margin improved to 3.37%. The stock benefits from elevated refining margins and positive analyst sentiment, with 55.55% recommending Buy.
Outlook remains positive due to robust refining margins and strategic positioning, though risks include volatile energy markets and declining revenue trends. The consensus price target is $276.22, below current levels, suggesting potential near-term consolidation. Investors should weigh strong profitability against cyclical industry headwinds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Valero Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in the United States. It operates 14 refineries with a total throughput capacity of 3.2 million barrels a day in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Valero also owns 14 ethanol plants with capacity of 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol a year and holds a 50% stake in Diamond Green Diesel, which has capacity to produce 700 million gallons per year of renewable diesel.
Read more on VLO →