Solar Short Interest Continues to Be Volatile

For China-based firms, the percentage of shares short is not available because the companies are also listed on other exchanges.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw short interest fall by 31.4% to 1.7 million shares, about 5.2% of the company’s total float. In the two-week short interest period to November 29, shares fell nearly 9% and are up about 735% year to date through Tuesday night’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $2.60 to $33.25.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest fall by 7.7% to 10.38 million shares, which represents 14.3% of the company’s float. In the two-week short interest period to November 29, shares fell 6.8% but are up about 83% through yesterday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $24.46 to $65.99.

GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT) showed a decrease of 4.7% in short interest to 32.3 million shares, about 26.5% of GT’s float. In the two-week period, shares dropped 5.7% and are up 182% through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $2.61 to $10.75.

SunEdison Inc. (NYSE: SUNE) showed a decrease of 17.3% in short interest to 17.21 million shares. About 6.5% of the company’s stock is now short. In the latest two-week short interest period, shares fell 3.7% but are up about more than 300% year to date through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $3.03 to $13.83.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) saw a short interest rise of 8.5% to 14.67 million shares, 34.8% of the company’s total float. In the two-week short interest period to November 29, shares dropped 7% and are up 425% year to date through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $5.05 to $35.39.

JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) showed a drop of 18.6% in short interest to 3.46 million shares. In the two-week short interest period, shares fell 23% but are up 106% through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $3.37 to $12.80.

LDK Solar Co. Inc. (NYSE: LDK) saw short interest rise by 13.2% to 6.43 million shares. In the two-week short interest period, shares rose about 3.5% and are down 1.4% year to date through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $0.93 to $2.32.

SolarCity Corp. (NASDAQ: SCTY) showed a rise of 7.5% in short interest to 8.02 million shares, or 25% of the company’s float. In the two-week short interest period, shares fell 3% and are up nearly 350% through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $9.20 to $65.30.

Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) saw a short interest rise of 9.5% to 6.12 million shares. In the two-week short interest period, shares fell 16% and are up more than 180% through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $3.31 to $17.84.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) showed a rise of 12.3% in short interest to 21.95 million shares. In the two-week short interest period, shares fell 20% and are up about 90% year to date through Tuesday’s close. The stock’s 52-week range is $1.62 to $8.77.

Short interest in solar stocks continues to be volatile, with a large drop for Canadian Solar and another relatively large rise for shares of Yingli, which has seen a steady rise in short interest for the past two months or more. The solar stocks have had a very good year, but forecasts for next year are more modest, and the shorts are returning to the sector.