FSLR vs. VG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FSLR and VG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | First Solar, Inc. | -- |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 24.11 billion USD | 37.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 17, 2006 | January 24, 2025 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FSLR and VG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.62% | -2.34% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 33.22% | -8.92% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 74.55% | 26.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -13.77% | -- |
| Month-to-Date Return | 12.98% | 9.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 25.13% | -40.88% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.44M | 11.83M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.51M | 7.07M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 53.97% | 56.49% |
| Beta | 1.51 | 0.51 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FSLR
15.57%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 47.13%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 9.94%
- Q1
- 0.86%
- Min
- -20.69%
FSLR’s Return on Equity of 15.57% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VG
30.99%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, VG’s Return on Equity of 30.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FSLR
28.95%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 23.88%
- Median
- 10.17%
- Q1
- 1.21%
- Min
- -32.15%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.95% places FSLR in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
VG
19.44%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.44% places VG in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FSLR
31.35%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.54%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 3.31%
- Min
- -28.36%
An Operating Profit Margin of 31.35% places FSLR in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VG
33.53%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.53% places VG in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 15.57% | 30.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.36% | 3.76% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.95% | 19.44% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.35% | 33.53% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 42.76% | 62.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FSLR
1.90
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.73
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 1.02
FSLR’s Current Ratio of 1.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
VG
1.39
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
VG’s Current Ratio of 1.39 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FSLR
0.12
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
FSLR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.12 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
VG
4.40
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.40, VG operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FSLR
39.40
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 74.71
- Median
- 26.06
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
FSLR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 39.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
VG
16.02
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
VG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.02 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.90 | 1.39 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 1.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.12 | 4.40 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 39.40 | 16.02 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FSLR
0.00%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.72%
- Q3
- 1.51%
- Median
- 0.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FSLR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
VG
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VG currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FSLR
0.00%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 205.27%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 27.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FSLR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
VG
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VG has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FSLR
19.36
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 106.30
- Q3
- 61.93
- Median
- 38.96
- Q1
- 23.71
- Min
- 13.06
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, FSLR’s P/E Ratio of 19.36 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
VG
21.77
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, VG’s P/E Ratio of 21.77 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FSLR
5.61
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 5.23
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.13
FSLR’s P/S Ratio of 5.61 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
VG
4.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, VG’s P/S Ratio of 4.23 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FSLR
2.08
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.22
- Q3
- 6.94
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 1.99
- Min
- 0.67
FSLR’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
VG
5.48
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
VG’s P/B Ratio of 5.48 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FSLR | VG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.36 | 21.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.61 | 4.23 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.08 | 5.48 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.94 | -- |