fslr

fslr

First Solar Inc.'s (FSLR) first-quarter net income more than tripled as the solar-power-module maker reported surging revenue and margins.

Following the strong results, which easily beat analysts' estimates, shares were up 6.3% to $161.16 in after-hours trading.

Many solar companies have been cutting production and lowering their outlooks recently amid lower demand. But First Solar has continued to post strong results on the strength of its thin-film solar panels, which are less efficient than silicon-based panels but also less expensive. In February, it detailed plans to provide financing as customers find it difficult to raise capital amid the credit crunch.

sqnm

sqnm

Several firms commenting on Sequenom (NASDAQ:SQNM) after the co announced it has delayed the launch of its Down syndrome (T21) test due to “employee mishandling” of R&D study data in both the RNA & DNA arms. As such, the company is no longer relying on previously reported results as “the clinical performance appears questionable”. SQNM is also reviewing data from its other Dx tests, and a special independent committee is investigating.

- Stephens is downgrading SQNM to Equal Weight from Overweight while lowering their tgt to $6 from $30. Clearly SQNM has taken a substantial credibility hit here and will likely lose a significant portion of its market capitalization today. Furthermore, they believe a delay in the launch of the prenatal diagnostics franchise exacerbates potential liquidity risk. Firm believes the best way to currently value the business is to look at a sum of the net parts. Given current uncertainty surrounding SQNM's diagnostic franchise, they recommend investors move to the sidelines until we receive externally validated data.