Energy

LDK Solar Slashes Forecasts (LDK, HSOL, SOL)

Solar panel maker LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) has revised its fourth quarter 2011 forecast and announced its guidance for the company’s 2012 fiscal year. The company will announce fourth quarter and full-year 2011 earnings on April 12th.

LDK lowered its fourth-quarter revenue forecast from a range of $440-$520 million, to $440-$450 million. Wafer shipment estimates were also cut, from 200-270 megawatts to 215-220 megawatts; module shipments were cut from a previous range of 180-270 megawatts to 250-260 megawatts. But that’s not all:

As a result of the rapidly declining market price for wafers and modules during the fourth quarter of 2011, LDK Solar expects to incur a write-down of inventories, realize impairment charges on contractual purchase agreements, and therefore, expects gross margin to be negative. In addition, some provisions for accounts receivable and fixed assets may also be required.

Negative gross margins, just like Hanwha SolarOne Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: HSOL) and Renesola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) reported last week.

The company also offered its outlook for 2012, forecasting revenue of $2.1-$2.7 billion, as well as estimates on product shipments. It did not say whether margins would turn positive next year.

Paul Ausick

The Average American Is Losing Momentum On Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4%1 today. Checking accounts are even worse.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying more than 7x the national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe and earn more at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other benefits as well. You can earn up to 4.00% with a Checking & Savings Account today Sign up and get up to $300 with direct deposit. No account fees. FDIC Insured.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes to open an account to make your money work for you.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.