Solar stocks were strong performers just three weeks ago, ranked No. 30 out of IBD’s 197 industry groups. But the Energy-Solar group has tumbled to No. 135 this week. The group fell 4.2% on Wednesday — plunging below its 200-day moving average — and 8.8% of the past five sessions. In both cases, solar had the second-worst showing of any industry. Here are five reasons why First Solar (FSLR) and other solar stocks has gone from day to night
First Solar (FSLR) stock rose Wednesday and the No. 1 solar energy company got an upgrade, though the company’s Q2 earnings late Tuesday missed Wall Street estimates. First Solar CEO Jim Hughes said project delays hurt last quarter’s results but are not a long-term financial overhang for the company. First Solar stock was up 1.5% in afternoon trading in the stock market today, near 64.50. Last week, solar energy firm SunPower (SPWR) missed with
First Solar (FSLR) reports second-quarter earnings after the closing bell Thursday amid conflicting positive and negative news for the solar industry. U.S.-based First Solar is expected to report earnings per share ex items of 37 cents. That would be a 5% year-over-year decline, continuing a recent pattern of quarterly earnings growth followed by an EPS decline. First Solar, which makes lower-cost thin-film solar products, has focused on