CSIQ vs GE vs RTX vs FSLR vs LMT

For growth investors, First Solar, Inc.

(FSLR) is the stronger pick with 24. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 6% for Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ). First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) offers the better valuation at 15. 1x trailing P/E (12. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) a "Buy" — based on 33 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, First Solar, Inc.

(FSLR) is the cheapest at 15. 1x versus GE Aerospace at 37. 1x. On forward P/E, First Solar, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: First Solar, Inc. wins at 0. 39x versus GE Aerospace's 3. 39x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, GE Aerospace (GE) delivered a total return of +362.

5%, compared to -55. 4% for Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FSLR returned +324. 1% versus CSIQ's +14. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

12β versus Canadian Solar Inc. 's 2. 23β — meaning CSIQ is approximately 1707% more volatile than LMT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 3% for Lockheed Martin Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), First Solar, Inc.

(FSLR) is pulling ahead at 24. 1% versus -6. 6% for Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: RTX Corporation grew EPS 39. 7% year-over-year, compared to -387. 0% for Canadian Solar Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FSLR leads at 25. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

First Solar, Inc.

(FSLR) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 3% net margin versus -1. 9% for Canadian Solar Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FSLR leads at 32. 3% versus -0. 5% for CSIQ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FSLR leads at 40. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 39x versus GE Aerospace's 3. 39x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) trades at 12. 0x forward P/E versus 40. 0x for GE Aerospace — 28. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CSIQ: 63. 3% to $28. 88.

In this comparison, LMT (2.

6% yield), RTX (1. 5% yield), GE (0. 4% yield) pay a dividend. CSIQ, FSLR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

12), 2. 6% yield, +156. 2% 10Y return). Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) carries a higher beta of 2. 23 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LMT: +156. 2%, CSIQ: +14. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (CSIQ (Energy) and GE (Industrials) and RTX (Industrials) and FSLR (Energy) and LMT (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CSIQ is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GE is a large-cap high-growth stock; RTX is a large-cap quality compounder stock; FSLR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; LMT is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. RTX, LMT pay a dividend while CSIQ, GE, FSLR do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.