The inevitable has happened as soaring discount online retailer Vipshop (NYSE: VIPS) finally became too irresistible a target for short sellers, who sensed the company’s stock had become a little too overinflated. This kind of attack doesn’t surprise me at all since Vipshop shares have risen more than 7-fold over the last 8 months. I’m not a big fan of short sellers in general, but I might even have to commend the attacker in this case for spotting an easy target and most likely making some big money with relatively minimal effort. Read Full Post…
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on May 30. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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I’ve been trying to avoid writing about the latest punitive tariffs for Chinese solar panels that look set to come from the European Union this week, since the story has dragged on for more than a year now and the outcome was almost inevitable. But that said, it would be a bit remiss of me not to write at least something on this latest move, which is expected to see European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht formally recommend the introduction of anti-dumping tariffs for solar panels supplied from China. (English article) Read Full Post…
Solar panel makers are finally seeing signs that the clouds could be lifting from their embattled sector, sparking a stock rally for their volatile shares. Canadian Solar (Nasdaq: CSIQ) led off the upbeat news, releasing preliminary results that included better-than-expected first-quarter sales and margins. But perhaps more importantly, other reports said the industry is seeing some of its first sustained price increases after more than 2 years of declines. Read Full Post…
Yingli (NYSE: YGE) has become the latest player in China’s struggling solar sector to get a lifeline from Beijing, as an interesting picture starts to emerge of the relative health of the sector’s major players and who is likely to lead a coming consolidation. The list of who gets these lifelines could also reflect the relative importance Beijing places on China’s wide and varied field of solar panel and panel component makers, meaning some of these lifeline recipients could emerge as potential leaders to help consolidate the sector in the months ahead. Read Full Post…
Intriguing rumors that billionaire investor Warren Buffett might be eying bankrupt former solar superstar Suntech (NYSE: STP) are breathing new life into embattled solar shares, as traders bet that western investors could help to revive the sector. Such a move would indeed be a major vote of confidence in this tarnished industry, since most observers believe that no private investors would want to bet on this group and a state-led rescue will be necessary to save the shaky sector. But all of that said, I’m quite skeptical that the latest rumors are true, since Buffett isn’t know for investing in problem-plagued companies or sectors.
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on April 6-8. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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Tencent (HKEx: 0700) Will Definitely Charge Fees For WeChat – MIIT Official (Chinese article)
Oil Spill Lawsuit Against ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) Finds Way To Texas Court (English article)
Nestle (Switzerland: NESN) Brews Fresh Investment As World Savors Pu’er Coffee (English article)
3 US Retailing Giants Enter China Using E-Commerce Channels (Chinese article)
China’s Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) Eyes Return To Profit In H2 (English article)
The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on January 16. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Alibaba’s Jack Ma To Stand Down As CEO, Move To Chairman Role (English article)
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Hopes To Set Up Beijing R&D Center (Chinese article)
Trina (NYSE: TSL) Obtains Rights to Develop 50 MW Solar Project in Gansu (PRNewswire)
Wi-Fi + Cellular Models of iPad Mini & 4th Generation iPad Available in China On Friday (Businesswire)
BYD (HKEx: 1211) Delivers 500 Electric e6 Police Cars to Shenzhen PSB (Businesswire)
China’s solar panel industry is starting to look more and more like a beggar kneeling on the doorstep of Beijing, with the latest word that the central government is preparing to hand out an additional $1.1 billion in subsidies to the struggling sector. That news comes just after a government official was quoted saying Beijing is considering a plan to double its already ambitious target for a massive building spree of new solar electricity plants, again in a bid to support the struggling sector.
Media are buzzing with word that the US securities regulator is once again tussling with major auditors over access to the accounting records of US-listed Chinese firms, in the latest chapter of an ongoing story; but what has me more intrigued is the scramble that is probably taking place behind the scenes, as those same auditors try to figure out what they will do when the inevitable happens and they are forced to share their records with the US Securities and Exchange Administration.
There’re quite a few news bits coming from the solar sector today, with more downbeat news from struggling LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) even as 2 western panel makers make important new inroads to the China market. Meantime, Canadian Solar (Nasdaq: CSIQ) is also getting some good news in the form of new financing from a major western commercial lender for a new solar power project in Canada.