Short Seller Moves in Alt Energy Stocks (FSLR, SPWRA, ENER, LDK, TSL, TSLA, RBCN, VECO, CREE, CPST, AMAT, GTAT)

In the wake of the weak global economic news, some alternative energy stocks are being swept along in the current of bad news, while a few others are making a bit of a comeback. Overall, though, short interest in these alt energy stocks remains quite high.

In the solar sector, short interest in First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) rose by 10.5% in the week ending August 31st, to 18.85 million shares, or nearly 32% of the stock’s float. Short interest in SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA) fell by -4.1%, to 7.22 million shares, or 28% of the stock’s float. Short interest in Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) rose slightly, 0.6%, to 14.31 million shares, or 25% of the stock’s float. Short interest in LDK Solar Co. Inc. (NYSE: LDK) fell by -20%, to 29.28 million shares. LDK’s days to cover is 11. Short interest in Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) rose 23.8%, to 20.54 million shares and days to cover is 5.

Among the leaders in short interest is Tesla Motors, Inc., with 22.9 million shares short, or 43% of the float. Days to cover Tesla stock is a very high 31.

The LED lighting sector has also attracted short attention. Short interest in Rubicon Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: RBCN) fell -2.5%, to 5.46 million shares, but that’s still more than 31% of the float held by shorts. Days to cover is 14. Short interest in Cree Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE) rose 9.2%, to 20.58 million shares, 19.3% of the company’s float. Short interest in Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) fell by -7.7%, to 10.96 million shares, or 27% of the stock’s float.

Turbine maker Capstone Turbine Corp. (NASDAQ) saw short interest rise by just 0.7%, to 42.48 million shares, or 16.5% of float. Days to cover is 18.

Semiconductor equipment makers Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) and GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT) both saw drops in short interest. Applied’s short interest fell to 23 million shares, just 1.8% of its float. GT’s short interest fell to 22.23 million shares, which is 18% of the stock’s float. GT’s days to cover is 18.

Data from Nasdaq and NYSE.

Paul Ausick