We recently published a list of 10 Cheapest Stocks to Buy On Robinhood. In this article, we are going to take a look at where First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) stands against other cheapest stocks to buy on Robinhood.
While the market has been on an upward trajectory for nearly two years now, the combination of seasonal trends, strong retail, and corporate activity, and positive market momentum following the November election still suggests a potential for continued growth in U.S. equities.
Goldman Sachs’ Scott Rubner predicts a year-end rally that will push the S&P to 6,200 points as reported by Bloomberg on November 25. He attributes this potential rally to growing retail enthusiasm in equities and crypto, seasonal trading patterns, and increasing corporate buyback demand.
Rubner noted that the recent consolidation phase is typical, and highlighted significant inflows into U.S. equities, with the broader market gaining over 3% since the November 5 presidential vote and the Russell 2000 rising 6.5%. Historically, strong market performance in election years tends to extend into January, with the capital being deployed at the start of the new year.
READ ALSO: Jim Cramer’s Lightning Round: 9 Stocks in Spotlight and 10 Best Renewable Energy Penny Stocks to Invest In.
Strategic Investment Moves in a Shifting Economy
In an interview with Seana Smith and Madison Mills of Yahoo Finance, Jim Smigiel, SEI’s Chief Investment Officer, highlighted several key insights for investors, in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-growth policies. He warned that these policies could lead to higher inflation and rising interest rates, which may impact investment strategies. For investors, the focus should be on understanding how inflation and rates can affect different assets and staying prepared for potential shifts in the market.
Smigiel sees opportunities in small-cap stocks, value stocks, and financials, which are expected to benefit from the current reflationary environment. He suggested investors consider diversifying their portfolios to reduce reliance on highly concentrated growth sectors like tech. Active management, where professional fund managers select investments, could also be a useful strategy to broaden exposure and adapt to market changes.
While higher rates could eventually pose challenges, Smigiel noted that small-cap stocks remain attractive for now due to improved debt structures, providing a window of opportunity until around 2026. Investors should keep an eye on rising yields, as it might signal a need to shift toward more defensive investments. Diversification remains critical in managing risks during this period.
Our Methodology
For this article, we checked all the large-cap companies trading on Robinhood with at least 50% positive analyst ratings. We narrowed our list to nearly 40 stocks that were trading below a forward price-to-earnings multiple of under 15. We also skipped the stocks that were trading above or at their industry median despite trading below a PE ratio of 15. Finally, we chose the 10 cheapest stocks to buy based on their average analyst price target upside as of November 25 (pre-market open). These stocks are also popular among hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A solar panel farm with an orange sky illuminating the vast landscape.
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)
Market Cap: $20 billion
FWD PE Ratio: 14
Average Price Target Upside: 50.23%
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is a solar technology company established in 1999. It provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions globally. The company specializes in manufacturing cadmium telluride thin-film solar modules, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional crystalline silicon PV modules. Its services include project development, operations and maintenance, and selling PV solar systems to third-party clients.
As of Q3, the company has a 73.3 GW backlog with orders extending to 2030. The company aims to reach 14 GW of U.S. production capacity and 25 GW globally by 2026, supported by its Alabama factory and a Louisiana facility expected to start in late 2025. Growing capacity, stable solar panel prices, and a favorable interest rate outlook position it to meet rising demand.
First Solar’s (NASDAQ:FSLR) stock has recently seen a sell-off after missing estimates and US election results. However, many analysts view this in a positive light. After Trump’s presidential win, Roth MKM says cutting the investment tax credit/production tax credit earlier could hurt solar demand as Republicans look for ways to fund tax cuts. However, the 45X tax credit seems safe, which is good news for First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and others. GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson said they would make careful changes to the IRA. With solar stocks falling, Roth suggests this may be a good time to buy First Solar and Nextracker.
Overall, FSLR ranks 3rd on our list of cheapest stocks to buy on Robinhood. While we acknowledge the potential of FSLR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FSLR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.