FSLR vs SPY: which was the better investment?
First Solar, Inc. against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 17, 2006 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did FSLR beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Nov 17, 2006 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, FSLR came out ahead: $90,443 versus $77,249 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.9% annual return against 11.0%.
What would $10,000 in FSLR be worth today?
$10,000 invested in First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) on Nov 17, 2006 would be worth about $90,443 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 804.4% (11.9% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $77,249.
Which was riskier — FSLR or SPY?
FSLR swung with an annualized volatility of 59.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -96.2%; SPY ran at 19.6% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.17 for FSLR vs 0.46 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 17, 2006 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with FSLR vs SPY. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.