Short Interest in Solar Pulls Back, Alt Energy Stocks Up

Energy

Published: March 12, 2018 7:25 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 2:32 am

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 fell on all three solar stocks and rose on three of four alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest fall by 13.5% to 3.92 million shares, which represents about 5.2% of the company’s float. Days to cover slipped from three to two. In the two-week short interest period through February 28, the stock’s share price dropped by about 3.1%. Its 52-week trading range is $25.56 to $76.61, and it closed at $67.90 on Friday, up about 0.3% for the day.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest decreased by 14.6% to 15.29 million shares or 26.8% of the company’s float. In the two-week short interest period, the share price inched up by about 0.7%. The stock’s 52-week range is $5.84 to $11.70, and it closed at $7.16 on Friday, down about 3.8% for the day. Days to cover rose from five to seven.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw a decrease of 15.5% in short interest during the two-week period. Some 5.2% of the total float, or 2.2 million shares, were short, and days to cover rose from three to six. The company’s share price dipped by about 0.1% over the period, and shares closed Friday at $16.19, down about 1.6% for the day, in a 52-week range of $10.86 to $19.09.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted a decrease of 7.1% in short interest during the period. Some 7.88 million shares were short as of February 28. The stock closed at $1.82 on Friday, up about 1.1% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.80 to $2.49. Shares traded down about 5.1% in the short interest period, and days to cover rose from seven to 12.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest rise by 1.4% to 33.75 million shares. Days to cover rose from eight to nine, and about 18.9% of the company’s shares were short. In the two weeks to February 28, the share price rose by nearly 5%. The stock’s 52-week range is $0.96 to $3.21, and shares closed Friday at $1.94, up about 2.7% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw a rise of about 6.8% in short interest to 5.9 million shares. About 8.4% of the company’s float is short and days to cover rose from five to seven. The share price fell by 5.7% in the two-week period to February 28. The stock closed at $1.48 on Friday, up about 6.5% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.31 to $3.05.

Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) saw short interest rise by 34.4% in the two-week period to 2.68 million shares, about 7.3% of the company’s float. Days to cover rose from seven to nine. The stock price rose by about 1% in the two weeks. Shares closed at $3.35 on Friday, up about 8.1% on the day, in a 52-week range of $3.10 to $7.58.

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