First Solar predicts a better year ahead, and stock gains

First Solar Inc. shares rose more than 5% in the extended session Tuesday after investors looked past a mixed quarter for the solar-power company to cheer guidance for the year. First Solar FSLR, +0.28%earned $349 million, or $3.25 a share, in the fourth quarter, compared with $268 million, or $2.50 a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose by $400 million to $1.2 billion, the company said. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of $3.19 a share on sales of $1.3 billion.The company gui