ONE-TWENTY TWO: Trading Financial Markets
Exploring the poetry in financial markets for students of money and economy since the year 2000.
GT Solar International Inc (SOLR) jumped 15% on news that it secured two large orders for its sapphire crystallization systems used in the manufacture of LED products. From the press release: GT Solar has “…has received its first two orders totaling more than $84 million for sapphire crystallization systems. The orders come from Jiangsu Jixing … Read more
After the stock market’s sharp rally off the March, 2009 lows, most solar stocks stopped appreciating by that summer. For the remainder of the year, they experienced wild swings up and down in price in quick succession. In the summer of 2010, it appeared prospects had finally turned around for the better for solar stocks … Read more
Rallies in solar stocks would be more exciting if they were not so fleeting. In early September, I noted a “stealth rally” was underway in solar stocks. In early October, I wrote breathlessly about a “soaring September” for solar stocks. Just three weeks later I had to warn that selling volume was picking up in … Read more
At the time I provided my summary of the stellar earnings results from Jinko Solar (JKS), I noted that the post-earnings surge in the stock price of 17% was likely partly the result of short-covering. Only data through October 15 was available then, and it showed all-time highs in short interest. The data for October … Read more
Integrated solar manufacturer ReneSola Ltd. (SOL) reported strong earnings results Friday morning. The summary from the company’s presentation says it all: SOL’s push downstream into the module production business has had a very positive impact on the business. Revenue and earnings growth accelerated in the third quarter. (Click for a larger view – I highly … Read more
Evergreen Solar’s sudden resurgence in October remains a mystery to me. Nothing in the recent third quarter earnings report explains the sudden return of enthusiasm to the stock. On the other hand, there was just enough reassurance in the report to once again suspend fears of the worst outcomes. ESLR remains a speculative play on … Read more
Slowdown in Germany? Italy cutting solar subsidies 6-10%? The Czech Republic trimming subsidies? A deterioration in ASPs (average selling prices) in the second half of 2011? A huge follow-on offering of 3.5M ADS (American Depository Shares) in which insiders are cashing in on 43% of the shares? Jinko Solar (JKS) mentioned all these potential headwinds … Read more
While many gear up for the elections and the Federal Reserve, I am bracing myself for a barrage of earnings from solar companies. Thursday night, First Solar (FSLR) kicked off the earnings parade in disappointing fashion as the market reacted by taking the stock down 9%. It seems that the market agonized over two main … Read more
Prices soared for solar stocks in September. In October, volume has soared…but prices have swung sharply downward after a very strong start to the month. In most cases, solar stocks have lost all their gains for the month and then some. This trading action is creating buying opportunities, especially where uptrends and/or critical technical support … Read more
A fresh buying opportunity may finally be unfolding in the solar sector. In Tech Trader Daily on Friday, Eric Savitz broke news that the U.S. government is launching an official investigation into alleged unfair trade and investment practices by the government of China in green technologies. Across the board, solar stocks were slammed in reaction … Read more