Energy

Short Sellers Zero In on Solar, Alternative Fuels Stocks

yangphoto / Getty Images

Short interest moves among solar and alternative energy stocks were mixed during the two-week reporting period that ended on February 28. Of the companies we watch, short interest rose on all three solar stocks and on four of five alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest rise by 1.6% to 10.64 million shares, which represents about 14.2% of the company’s float. Days to cover dropped from eight to four. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price increased by about 7.6%. Its 52-week range is $36.51 to $81.72, and shares closed at $53.62 on Monday, up about 4.8% for the day.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest increased by 0.6% to 22.8 million shares, or 37.2% of the company’s float. In the two weeks to February 28, the share price increased by about 10.6%. The stock’s 52-week range is $4.55 to $10.00, and it closed at $6.51 on Monday, up about 5.9% for the day. Days to cover rose from 10 to 12.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw an increase of 3.4% in short interest during the two-week period. Some 6.9% of the total float, or 3.09 million shares, were short, and days to cover remained unchanged at three. The company’s shares traded up more than 21% over the period, and they closed Monday at $23.56, up about 2.1% for the day, in a 52-week range of $11.37 to $25.89.

Bloom Energy Corp. (NYSE: BE) short interest rose by 2.3% in the short interest period. Some 4.732 million shares were short, representing 33.5% of the company’s total float. Days to cover remained unchanged at three, and the stock price jumped by nearly 29% during the period. Shares closed Monday at $14.30, up almost 6% for the day, in a 52-week range of $8.88 to $38.00.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted a drop of 11.9% in short interest during the two weeks. Some 13.37 million shares were short as of February 28, about 12.1% of the total float. The stock closed at $0.42 on Monday, down about 0.5% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.40 to $2.11. Shares traded down about 23.6% in the short interest period, and days to cover decreased from eight to two.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest increase by 3.7% to 40.49 million shares. Days to cover dipped from 15 to 13, and about 17.6% of the company’s shares were short. In the latter two weeks of February, the share price rose by about 11.2%. The stock’s 52-week range now is $0.99 to $2.27, and shares closed Monday at $2.11, up about 8.2% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw an increase of 1.3% in short interest to 3.03 million shares. About 2.2% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover slipped from seven to four. The share price rose by nearly 20% in the two-week period. The stock closed at $2.22 on Monday, up about 7.8% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.33 to $4.05.

Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) saw short interest rise by 4% in the period to 406,366 shares, about 0.9% of the company’s float. Days to cover remained unchanged at two. The stock price inched higher by about 0.1% in the two weeks. Shares closed at $1.28 on Monday, down nearly 10% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.76 to $4.15.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

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