Modest Short Interest Moves in Solar, Alt Energy Stocks Despite Tumbling Share Prices

By Paul Ausick Published Feb 12, 7:40AM EST

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Modest Short Interest Moves in Solar, Alt Energy Stocks Despite Tumbling Share Prices — © Mlenny / Getty Images

Short interest moves among solar and alternative energy stocks were generally to the downside during the two-week reporting period that ended on January 31. Of the companies we watch, short interest increased on two of three solar stocks and decreased on three of five alternative energy stocks.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) saw short interest rise by 4% to 11.79 million shares, which represents about 15.6% of the company’s float. Days to cover rose from nine to 10. In the two-week short interest period, the stock’s share price decreased by about 8.7%. Its 52-week range is $48.76 to $69.24, and it closed at $53.53 on Tuesday, up about 1.5% for the day.

SunPower Corp.’s (NASDAQ: SPWR) short interest rose by 6% to 20.36 million shares, or 24.9% of the company’s float. In the two weeks to January 31, the share price slipped by 0.5%. The stock’s 52-week range is $5.72 to $16.04, and it closed at $9.89 on Tuesday, up by about 4.1% for the day. Days to cover rose from five to six.

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) saw short interest drop by 1% during the two-week period. Some 6.6% of the total float, or 3.04 million shares, were short, and days to cover remained at three. The company’s shares tumbled by 14.3% in the latter half of the month, and shares closed Tuesday at $22.84, up by about 6.9% for the day, in a 52-week range of $14.50 to $25.89.

Bloom Energy Corp. (NYSE: BE) short interest increased by 9% in the period. Some 18.02 million shares were short, representing about 25.9% of the company’s total float. Days to cover rose from five to six, and the stock price plunged by 21.6% during the two weeks. Shares closed Tuesday at $10.09, up by about 0.8% for the day, in a 52-week range of $2.44 to $16.63.

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FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) posted a decline of 1% in short interest during the period. Some 32.33 million shares were short as of January 31, about 15.5% of the total float. The stock closed at $2.03 on Tuesday, down about 1.5% for the day, in a 52-week range of $0.13 to $11.28. Days to cover remained at one. The share price plummeted by nearly 28% in the two weeks.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) saw short interest increase by 1% to 56.34 million shares. Days to cover fell from five to four, and about 24.5% of the company’s shares were short. In the final two weeks of January, the share price dropped by about 7%. The stock’s 52-week range is $1.35 to $4.53, and shares closed Tuesday at $4.41, up by about 0.7% for the day.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) saw a drop of 13% in short interest to 1.47 million shares. About 1% of the company’s float was short, and days to cover remained at two. The share price dropped by about 10% in the period. The stock closed at $2.44 on Tuesday, up about 1.2% for the day, in a 52-week range of $1.82 to $3.47.

Pacific Ethanol Inc.’s (NASDAQ: PEIX) short interest for the most recent period is unavailable. In the period that ended January 15, short interest in the stock dipped by 6% to 438,400 shares, about 1% of the company’s float. Days to cover fell from two to one. Shares closed at $0.61 on Tuesday, up by about 7.7% on the day, in a 52-week range of $0.39 to $1.44.

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About the Author Paul Ausick →

Paul Ausick has been writing for a673b.bigscoots-temp.com for more than a decade. He has written extensively on investing in the energy, defense, and technology sectors. In a previous life, he wrote technical documentation and managed a marketing communications group in Silicon Valley.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Chicago and now lives in Montana, where he fishes for trout in the summer and stays inside during the winter.