Energy

Short Interest Lags in Solar, Alt Energy Stocks

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Short interest among solar and alternative energy stocks largely declined during the two-week reporting period that ended on March 29. Of the companies we watch, short interest fell on two of three solar stocks and fell on three of four alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest increase by 1.7% to 4 million shares, which represents about 5.2% of the company’s float. Days to cover fell from three to tow. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price rose by about 0.9%. The 52-week trading range is $25.56 to $76.61, and shares closed at $70.79 on Tuesday, down less than 0.1% for the day.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest decreased by 3.7% to 15.94 million shares or 26.9% of the company’s float. In the two weeks to March 29, the share price rose by 13.5%. The stock’s 52-week range is $6.46 to $11.70, and it closed at $8.30 on Tuesday, up about 1.8% for the day. Days to cover fell from eight to six.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw a decrease of 21.6% in short interest during the two-week period. Some 4.1% of the total float, or 1.79 million shares, were short, and days to cover fell from five to two. The company’s share price rose by about 5% over the period, and shares closed Tuesday at $16.05, up about 0.2% for the day, in a 52-week range of $12.07 to $19.09.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted a decrease of 2.3% in short interest during the period. Some 7.63 million shares were short as of March 29. The stock closed at $1.96 on Tuesday, up about 5.4% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.80 to $2.49. Shares traded essentially flat in the short interest period, and days to cover rose from seven to 12.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest rise by 0.4% to 34.53 million shares. Days to cover remained flat at nine, and about 15.3% of the company’s shares were short. In the two weeks to March 29, the share price fell by about 3.6%. The stock’s 52-week range is $1.53 to $3.21, and shares closed Tuesday at $1.85, up about 1.1% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw a drop of about 24.9% in short interest to 4.8 million shares. About 3.6% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover fell from five to three. The share price rose by 11.5% in the two weeks. The stock closed at $1.59 on Tuesday, up about 1.3% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.31 to $3.05.

Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) saw short interest fall by 8% in the short interest period to 1.79 million shares, about 4.2% of the company’s float. Days to cover remained at three. The stock price fell by nearly 17% in the two weeks to March 29. Shares closed at $3.05 on Tuesday, up about 1.7% on the day, in a 52-week range of $2.75 to $7.50.

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