Short Sellers Get Selective in Solar, Alt Energy Stocks

Energy

Published: January 12, 2017 8:15 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 3:57 pm

Short interest moves among solar and alternative energy stocks were mixed during the two-week reporting period that ended on December 30. Of the companies we watch, short interest fell on two of three solar stocks and on two of four alternative energy stocks.

The number of First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) shares short dropped by 10.5% to 15.26 million, which represents about 19.9% of the company’s float. Days to cover remained unchanged at seven. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price slipped by 1.4%. Its 52-week trading range is $28.60 to $74.29, and it closed at $35.00 on Wednesday, up about 4.8% for the day.

Investors continue trying to sort through the uncertainties in the alternative energy sector. In early December analysts at Morgan Stanley advised caution on growth prospects, and that remains good advice.

SunPower Corp.’s (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest increased by 6.2% to 18.05 million shares, or 30.8% of the company’s float. In the short interest period to December 30, the share price fell 8%. The stock’s 52-week range is $6.00 to $26.29 and it closed at $7.59 on Wednesday, up about 4.8%. Days to cover rose from 5 to 7.

During the two-week period, Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw a drop of 12.5% in short interest. Some 13.8% of the total float, 6.11 million shares, were short, and days to cover remained unchanged at five. The company’s share price ticked up by about 0.2% over the two weeks, and shares closed Wednesday at $12.84, up about 2.1% for the day, in a 52-week range of $10.25 to $23.56.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted an increase of 10.2% in short interest during the period. Some 3.74 million shares were short as of December 30. The stock closed at $1.95 on Wednesday, unchanged for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.60 to $8.88. Shares tumbled by nearly 8% in the short interest period, and days to cover remained unchanged at five.

The short interest in Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) increased by 6.3% to 33.14 million shares. Days to cover rose from six to 10, and about 17.5% of the company’s shares was short. In the two weeks to December 30, the share price dropped more than 12%. The stock’s 52-week range is $1.18 to $2.28, and shares closed Wednesday at $1.26, up about 1.6% for the day.

The number of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) shares short dropped about 19% to 6.56 million. About 5.7% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover fell from four to three. The share price retreated by more than 12% in the final weeks of the month. The stock closed at $2.96, up 2%, on Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $2.15 to $4.80.

Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) saw short interest drop by 3.8% between the settlement dates to 1.41 million shares, about 3.7% of the company’s float. Days to cover rose from two to three. The stock price dipped by about 2.1% in the two weeks. Shares closed at $8.60 on Wednesday, down 2.3% on the day, in a 52-week range of $2.41 to $10.95.

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