First Solar (FSLR) vs GlobalFoundries (GFS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
GlobalFoundries (GFS) has outperformed First Solar (FSLR) over the past year, gaining 37.5% versus a loss of 22.7%. GlobalFoundries is the larger company by market cap ($27.51 billion vs $19.22 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while First Solar is growing revenue faster (+24.1% vs +0.6%). On valuation, First Solar trades at a lower forward P/E (7.7x vs 18.8x for GlobalFoundries).
GlobalFoundries pays a dividend yielding 0.24%, while First Solar does not currently pay one. First Solar converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.3% versus 13.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FSLR | GFS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $178.85 | $49.36 |
| Market cap | $19.22B | $27.51B |
| 1-day change | -0.71% | +2.68% |
| YTD return | -31.54% | +41.35% |
| 1-year return | -22.70% | +37.49% |
| 5-year return | +70.16% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.03 | 38.56 |
| Forward P/E | 7.70 | 18.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.22 | $1.28 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.22B | $6.79B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +24.09% | +0.61% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.53B | $885.00M |
| Gross margin | 40.62% | 24.89% |
| Operating margin | 30.59% | 11.74% |
| Net margin | 29.28% | 13.03% |
| 52-week high | $320.95 | $92.55 |
| 52-week low | $168.60 | $32.02 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -44.27% | -46.67% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +54.17% | +51.30% |
| Average volume | 2.27M | 4.09M |
| Shares outstanding | 107.47M | 557.42M |
| Employees | 7,900 | 14,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- GFS has outperformed FSLR by 60.2 percentage points over the past year.
- GlobalFoundries trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.6x vs 11.0x trailing P/E).
- First Solar is more profitable, keeping 29.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.0 cents for GlobalFoundries.
- First Solar grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.09% vs +0.61%).
About First Solar
FSLR stock →First Solar, Inc., a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, India, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with thin film semiconductor technology that provides conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules.
Technology · Semiconductors · 7,900 employees
About GlobalFoundries
GFS stock →GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc., a semiconductor foundry, provides range of mainstream wafer fabrication services and technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It offers semiconductor devices, including microprocessors, mobile application processors, baseband processors, network processors, radio frequency modems, microcontrollers, and power management units.
Technology · Semiconductors · 14,000 employees
FSLR vs GFS FAQ
Which is bigger, First Solar or GlobalFoundries?
GlobalFoundries (GFS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $27.51B compared with $19.22B for First Solar (FSLR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FSLR or GFS?
GFS returned +37.49% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.70% for FSLR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FSLR or GFS?
FSLR has the lower trailing P/E at 11.0, versus 38.6 for GFS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, First Solar or GlobalFoundries?
GlobalFoundries pays a dividend yielding 0.24%, while First Solar does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are First Solar and GlobalFoundries in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.