ONE-TWENTY TWO: Trading Financial Markets
Exploring the poetry in financial markets for students of money and economy since the year 2000.
Another earnings-related presentation, another yawn from the stock market – such is the life of First Solar (FSLR). On December 14, First Solar hosted a conference call to discuss its guidance for 2011. Overall, it was a relatively bullish call. However, the stock had rallied over 10% into the call and, presumably, expectations were high. … Read more
NOW I better understand Wunderlich Securities’s bullish case for GT Solar (SOLR). When I wrote December 1 about how diversification into sapphire crystallization systems (used in the manufacture of LED products) is paying dividends for SOLR, I noted my confusion over Wunderlich’s reiteration of a buy rating on SOLR. That reiteration came at the same … Read more
Evergreen Solar’s balance sheet is a common concern in nearly every earnings conference call. After reviewing earnings on November 4, I concluded that Evergreen Solar (ESLR) “remains a very speculative bet on survival.” After Monday’s announcement of a major recapitalization plan, it is clear that ESLR’s balance sheet remains in precarious shape. The recapitalization plan … Read more
Trina Solar Ltd. (TSL) reported earnings last week with excellent headline results and strong guidance, but the stock market rewarded the company with a 7% loss on extremely high selling volume. Wedbush even reiterated its outperform rating and $43 price target based on TSL’s performance (according to briefing.com). Most of those initial losses were erased … Read more
Time To Buy Solar Stocks? | Alternative Energy Stocks The sharp down move in recent weeks made me wonder if this might be a sign of capitulation. I don't follow the solar sector closely, but given its historic volatility, I think there is a lot of potential for astute traders to make money in the … Read more
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