links for 2009-10-19

Fears that the UK could be facing a prolonged period of economic weakness have risen after a survey of manufacturers showed few companies believe a recovery has started, while many continue to be frustrated by the reluctance of the banks to release credit.

The central bank dichotomy between the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE) that has supported the breakdown in cable has completely changed since Monday when the GBP/USD printed a new low at 1.5726.

* Anxiety about German subsidy cuts weighs on sector; * One analyst sees opportunity in SunPower; * Analyst cuts two German solars: Q-Cells and SolarWorld

U.S.-based First Solar Inc denied it was using aggressive accounting methods to support its earnings growth, despite concerns from some analysts that its cash flows were beginning lag profit levels.

While the EPS beat rate this earnings season has been strong, there's another data point that has been even more eye-popping…As shown below, 20.3% of US companies have raised guidance so far this earnings season. The highest reading for this number has barely broken 15% in any prior quarter this decade.