Energy

Short Interest in Solar, Alt Energy Stocks Mixed as Some Share Prices Soar  

Paul Ausick

Published: February 27, 2020 8:50 am

Last Updated: February 27, 2020 8:51 am

Short interest moves among solar and alternative energy stocks were mixed during the two-week reporting period that ended on February 14.  Of the companies we watch, short interest increased on two of three solar stocks and increased on three of four alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest fall by 4% to 11.33 million shares, which represents about 15.0% of the company’s float. Days to cover fell from 10 to seven. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price increased by about 9.0%. Its 52-week range is $46.04 to $69.24, and it closed at $46.11 on Wednesday, down by 5.1% for the day. The low was posted Wednesday.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest rose by 1% to 20.49 million shares, or 25.2% of the company’s float. In the two weeks to February 14, the share price increased by 1.0%. The stock’s 52-week range is $5.96 to $16.04, and it closed at $8.88 on Wednesday, down by about 6.6% for the day. Days to cover slipped from six to five.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw short interest rise by 7% during the first half of February. Some 7.1% of the total float, or 3.26 million shares, were short, and days to cover rose from three to four. The company’s shares soared by 18.8% over the two-week period, and shares closed Wednesday at $21.67, down by about 0.8% for the day, in a 52-week range of $14.50 to $25.89.

Bloom Energy Corp. (NYSE: BE) short interest remained essentially unchanged between the settlement dates. Some 17.96 million shares were short, representing about 25.9% of the company’s total float. Days to cover remained at six, and the stock price jumped by 15.2% during the period. Shares closed Wednesday at $10.74, down by less than 0.1% for the day, in a 52-week range of $2.44 to $16.63.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted an increase of 1% in short interest during the period. Some 32.63 million shares were short as of February 14, about 15.6% of the total float. The stock closed at $2.29 on Wednesday, up about 0.9% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.13 to $6.60. Days to cover remained at one. The share price rose by nearly 30% in the two-week period.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest increase by 1% to 56.80 million shares. Days to cover fell from four to three, and about 24.6% of the company’s shares were short. In the two weeks to February 14, the share price rose by about 10.3%. The stock’s 52-week range is $1.55 to $6.05, and shares closed Wednesday at $4.75, down by about 1.7% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw a rise of 3% in short interest to 1.52 million shares. About 1% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover remained at two. The share price rose by about 18.5% in the period. The stock closed at $2.48 on Wednesday, down about 3.1% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.82 to $3.47.

Nasdaq no longer reports short interest in Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX).