Key Highlights

  • Goldman Sachs cut its price target on First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) to USD 272 on October 8, 2026, citing subdued expectations ahead of third-quarter earnings, according to research reported that day.
  • Goldman also cut its target on Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN) to USD 11, putting two solar names under the same earnings-season caution from the same analyst team.
  • The prior targets and the share prices are not given in the file, so the size of the cuts and the upside or downside to each target cannot be calculated here.
  • Target changes reflect one firm's view and can change quickly, so First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) investors should compare the call with published estimates and company guidance.

What Goldman Changed

Goldman Sachs lowered its target on First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) to USD 272 on October 8, 2026. Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN) was cut to USD 11, according to research reported that day. The reason given was subdued expectations ahead of third-quarter earnings. The file does not state the old targets, the ratings or the share prices, so the size of the reduction cannot be measured. First Solar makes thin-film solar panels and benefits from US Manufacturing incentives, while Sunrun installs and finances residential solar systems, so the two businesses respond differently to interest rates, policy and demand. The calls are reported research notes, not company announcements. A target is an analyst's estimate of where a share price may trade in about a year, and it is not a forecast of the next Earnings result.

Why Solar Faces Pressure

Solar stocks are sensitive to financing costs because projects and home systems are paid for over many years, so a 10-year Treasury Yield that touched about 5.35% intraday is a headwind, especially for a residential installer such as Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN). Policy matters too, since tax credits and tariffs shape margins and demand. Ahead of earnings, analysts often trim targets when they expect weaker volumes, pricing or guidance, and Goldman's wording of subdued expectations points to a cautious preview. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) reports with the rest of the sector, though the file does not give its earnings date, so none is assumed. The sector has also been sensitive to political and trade headlines, which can swing sentiment quickly.

Risks and What to Watch

The risk for the cautious view is that results beat low expectations, which can lift shares even after target cuts. The risk for holders is a miss or weak guidance. Investors should watch the earnings dates, order trends, margins and any policy change, as well as September CPI on October 14 and the Fed meeting on October 27 and 28, 2026. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.25% in the latest session, showing the market's current sensitivity. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and Sunrun should be judged on filings and not on a single target, and the file does not provide analyst consensus. Readers should also check the company filings for guidance, since targets can be revised at any time.

Where Things Stand

Goldman cut its targets because it expects subdued third-quarter results, but the file lacks old targets, ratings and prices, so the size of the cut is unknown. Higher yields add pressure on solar financing. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) will be judged on its coming report, and low expectations can make beats more powerful. Investors should wait for the earnings reports before drawing conclusions. The file gives no consensus figures, so the comparison with expectations must wait for the reports.