Energy

Short Sellers Hunt Profits in Solar, Alternative Energy Stocks

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Short interest moves among solar and alternative energy stocks were mixed during the two-week reporting period that ended on April 15.  Of the companies we watch, short interest increased on one of three solar stocks and on four of five alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest rise by 10.5% to 11.84 million shares, which represents about 15.8% of the company’s float. Days to cover remained unchanged at eight. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price increased by about 12.6%. Its 52-week range is $36.51 to $81.72, and it closed at $61.25 on Thursday, down about 1% for the day.

SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest decreased by 6.1% to 21.09 million shares, or 34.4% of the float. In the two-weeks to April 15, the share price increased by about 13.5%. The stock’s 52-week range is $4.55 to $9.60, and it closed at $7.48 on Thursday, down by about 1.2% for the day. Days to cover dropped from 13 to 12.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw a decrease of 5.7% in short interest during the two weeks to April 15. Some 7.4% of the total float, or 3.3 million shares, were short, and days to cover rose from two to five. The company’s shares traded up about 0.1% over the period, and shares closed Thursday at $18.92, down about 2.7% for the day, in a 52-week range of $11.37 to $25.89.

Bloom Energy Corp. (NYSE: BE) short interest rose by 14% in the two weeks. Some 6.76 million shares were short, representing 13.1% of the company’s total float. Days to cover rose from five to seven, and the stock price fell by about 7.9% during the short interest period. Shares closed Thursday at $12.34, down about 4.6% for the day, in a 52-week range of $8.88 to $38.00.

FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted an increase of 21.7% in short interest during the two-week period. Some 19.64 million shares were short as of April 15, about 15.4% of the total float. The stock closed at $0.25 on Thursday, down about 13.8% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.20 to $1.99. Shares traded up about 4.3% in the short interest period, and days to cover increased from five to six.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest increase by 12.4% to 45.18 million shares. Days to cover rose from six to eight, and about 18.8% of the company’s shares were short. In the first two weeks of April, the share price rose by about 4.2%. The stock’s 52-week range is $0.99 to $2.86, and shares closed Thursday at $2.53, down by about 2% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw an increase of 2.1% in short interest to 2.71 million shares. About 2% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover rose from two to three. The share price rose by about 4.5% in the two-week period. The stock closed at $3.24 on Thursday, down by about 2.4% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.58 to $4.05.

And Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) saw short interest drop by 6.9% in the period to 627,423 shares, about 1.4% of the float. Days to cover rose from one to two. The stock price rose by about 8.5% in the two weeks. Shares closed at $1.06 on Thursday, down about 2.8% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.76 to $3.78.


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