UPDATE: First Solar Posts 82% Surge In Q2 Earnings, Lifts Full-Year Forecast

First Solar FSLR reported an 82% surge in its second-quarter earnings. First Solar now expects full-year earnings of $4.20 to $4.70 per share and revenue of $3.6 billion to $3.8 billion, versus its earlier forecast of earnings between $4 and $4.50 per share and revenue between $3.5 billion and $3.8 billion. First Solar's quarterly profit climbed to $111 million, or $1.27 per share, versus $61.1 million, or $0.70 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, First Solar earned $1.65 per share. Its net sales climbed 80% to $957.3 million. However, analysts were expecting a profit of $0.90 per share on revenue of $828 million. First Solar shares closed at $14.80 yesterday.