FS
FSLR
Sep 30, 2025
Quarter ended Sep 30, 2025 · FY2025 Q3

First Solar, Inc. stock research

First Solar (FSLR) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Sep 30, 2025

Free cash flow turned strongly positive this quarter, driven by a significant increase in operating cash flow and reduced capital spending. The free cash flow margin improved substantially compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow turned strongly positive this quarter, driven by a significant increase in operating cash flow and reduced capital spending. The free cash flow margin improved substantially compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year.

  • Revenue was higher, while operating cash flow rose sharply and capital expenditure declined, resulting in positive free cash flow compared to negative levels in prior periods. The free cash flow margin improved from negative to a high positive level, reflecting stronger cash conversion.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow improved from negative to positive, with higher revenue and operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, all metrics strengthened, with operating cash flow turning positive and capital spending reduced.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$614.5M

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$1.1B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$1.3B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$204.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

67.1%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2024-12-31$1.5B$811.0M$313.5M$497.5M32.9%
2025-03-31$844.6M-$608.0M$206.0M-$813.9M-96.4%
2025-06-30$1.1B$149.6M$288.1M-$138.6M-12.6%
2025-09-30$1.6B$1.3B$204.0M$1.1B67.1%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income234.6%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue12.8%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash$1.4BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Strong Operating Cash Flow

Operating cash flow surged this quarter, far exceeding prior-period levels and turning positive after two consecutive quarters of negative operating cash flow (from the year-ago quarter and the prior quarter). This was the primary factor behind the free cash flow improvement.

The surge in operating cash flow drove free cash flow from a deficit to a substantial surplus, significantly strengthening the company's cash position.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue was higher, while operating cash flow rose sharply and capital expenditure declined, resulting in positive free cash flow compared to negative levels in prior periods. The free cash flow margin improved from negative to a high positive level, reflecting stronger cash conversion.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow improved from negative to positive, with higher revenue and operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, all metrics strengthened, with operating cash flow turning positive and capital spending reduced.

Monitor capital expenditure levels, as the current quarter's lower spending may affect future production capacity and cash flow sustainability.