STP

[cumulina]

Today I finally got around to buying STP.

I bought a small portion at $34.30. Wanting to take advantage of the "dip", but it seems that I was a bit to quick...

Should off course have bought at their IPO, but I'm not that clever. 

STP: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. operates as a global solar energy company. It designs, develops, manufactures, and markets various photovoltaic cells and modules for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech's customers are located in various markets worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China, and the United States. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Wuxi, China.

Homepage: http://www.suntech-power.com/en/zlsc.html

Report from 2005: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=192654&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=816517&highlight=

[nullzero]

Blow out earnings on STP up over 19% today.

[cumulina]

The short version:

Suntech Power shares shine in premarket after profit report

(9:15 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Suntech Power Holdings Co.(STP, Trade)shares are up 13% at $30.95 premarket Thursday after the Wuxi, China, producer of solar-power solutions reported first-quarter net income nearly doubled as revenue more than doubled. Earnings reached $19.3 million, or 12 cents an American depositary share, from $10 million, or 11 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue was $89.9 million against $38.5 million. The company estimated second-quarter revenue would more than double to a range $110 million to $117 million.

It's SO nice to see something green after these horrible days! 

[usedcasting]

Cumulina, this looks beautiful. Thanks (App)

uc.

[cumulina]

Today is the day of the exp. of the lock-up from the IPO! 

I was able to get some more around 22.00

The stock is rising again now after the first sell-off, but I think it would be worth to take a quick look at, if you are interested.

[la-onda]

just FYI 

STP: CIBC Cuts to Sector Perform from Sector Outperform
Monday , June 12, 2006 08:15 ET
Issuer: Suntech Power Holdings Corporation, Limited (NYSE: STP)
Analyst Firm:  CIBC World Markets
Ratings Action: DOWNGRADE
Current Rating: Sector Perform (from Sector Outperform)

&

Analysts: Suntech's growth speed may slow down in 2'Q
Monday , May 22, 2006 04:21 ET

BEIJING, May 22, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells, announced on May 18 that its revenues in the first quarter of 2006 reached 89.9 million dollars and net income, jumping 93 percent year on year, attributable to holders of ordinary shares of $19.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted American Depository Share (ADS).

Some media reports attributed the profit surge to operation ahead of schedule of new production lines.

However, Shi Zhengrong, chairman and CEO of Suntech, claims that popularisation of new technologies reduces production cost and lead to profit jump.
But analysts said that owing to global PV cell industry's over expansion and shortage of raw materials, operating rate of PV cell producers will deline in 2006.
To be noticeable, Suntech also reduces production targets for 2006's 2'Q in its report.
The company plans to produce 31-33 megawatts of solar products in 2'Q, and 130-140 megawatts for the whole year of 2006.
Earlier, however, the company had announced that the output would reach 240 megawatts by the first half of 2006 and 300 megawatts by the end of 2006.

[cumulina]

Thanks, la-onda.

I had not seen that one.

Doesn't change my view, though.

And right now I'm a happy little investor...

[la-onda]

STP: Q1 EPS 12c vs 11c Beats 9c Est; Guidance Above Consensus
Thursday , May 18, 2006 08:05 ET

QUARTER RESULTS
Suntech Power Holdings Corporation, Limited (STP) reported Q1 results ended March 2006. Q1 Revenues were $89.89M; +133.50% vs yr-ago; BEATING revenue consensus by +14.47%. Q1 EPS was 12c; +9.09% vs yr-ago; BEATING earnings consensus by +33.33%.

GUIDANCE
Q2-06 Revenue Outlook [$110 - $117M]: Suntech expects its total net revenues in Q2 2006 to be in the range of $110 million to $117 million. The Q2-06 revenue forecast is above current consensus estimates.

[la-onda]

- SunTech Power (NYSE: STP) - SunTech Power has been punished the most out of all the solar stocks. The Chinese company recently stated that a news story in a local Chinese business daily regarding 2 billion yuan investment to build two polysilicon fabs in Luoyang, China was incorrect.

I have bought a few STP ( little bit too late @ 23.8$)

cheers
Oliver

[cumulina]

Now trading at 24.77, up about 5% from todays open...

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1295098.html

Suntech Power initiated at "Buy"

Monday, June 12, 2006 8:56:02 AM ET
Merrill Lynch

NEW YORK, June 12 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Merrill Lynch initiate coverage of Suntech Power (ticker: STP) with "Buy".

[la-onda]

Today's Candlestick Patterns:
High Wave
Bullish Harami


Oliver

[la-onda]

www.streetinvesting.com: Begins Research on Suntech Power Holdings
Tuesday , June 13, 2006 03:43 ET

Jun 13, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Streetinvesting.com is the author of this release. Our goal is to educate, inform and initiate a creative philosophy of investment tactics. This release is a result of Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.'s (NYSE:STP) latest corporate developments and their recent trading activity, up 6.24% on Monday, with a well above average 5,749,400 shares having traded hands come market closure. Streetinvesting.com strives to help investors seek a diversified portfolio by introducing techniques to help grasp a better understanding and concept of the market and the daily activities that a company experiences. To learn more and become part of the acclaimed online financial newsletter community, visit www.streetinvesting.com for a complimentary subscription.

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading solar energy company in the world as measured by production output of solar cells in 2005. Suntech provides solar solutions for a green future. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures and markets a variety of high quality, cost effective and environmentally friendly PV cells and modules for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial and public utility sectors. Suntech's customers are located in various markets worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China and the United States.

Streetinvesting.com has recently become interested in this Company, despite the recent decline in share value, after today's turn-around in share price, in combination with the well above average trade volume and increased investor sentiment. Although there was no news to accompany the day's success, our research team feels that mid-May's release of Q1 fiscal results may speak volumes for what this Company might be able to achieve in the future.

On May 18th, 2006, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. announced first quarter 2006 total net revenues of $89.9 million and net income attributable to holders of ordinary shares of $19.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted American Depository Share (ADS).

"During the quarter we continued to improve our solar cell conversion efficiency rates while shifting more production to use thinner 210 micron wafers. This helped us to improve profitability even while silicon wafer prices continued to rise," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's chairman and CEO. "We intend to continue to achieve profitable growth by lowering cost per watt through our R&D efforts, increasing production capacity and expanding our markets as more and more governments worldwide launch initiatives promoting the use of solar energy." Total net revenues for the first quarter of 2006 were $89.9 million, an increase of 1.0% sequentially and an amazing 133.5% year-over-year. The modest sequential growth rate reflected seasonality in production as there was approximately one fewer working week during the first quarter compared to other quarters due to the Chinese New Year holidays.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2006 was $27.1 million, representing an increase of 14.7% over the fourth quarter of 2005 and 102.6% over the first quarter of 2005. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2006 was 30.1% compared to 26.5% in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 34.7% in the first quarter of 2005. Sequentially, gross margins increased due to a rise in the price of PV modules and improved conversion efficiencies. The year-over-year gross margin decrease was primarily due to increases in the cost of raw materials as well as share based compensation.

Operating expenses were also down from the last quarter, at $7.0 million compared to $11.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, but $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2005. The sequential decrease in operating expenses, the Company proclaimed, was primarily due to a decline in share based compensation to $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2006 from $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, as well as fourth quarter operating expenses including certain internal expenses associated with Suntech's restructuring and December 2005 initial public offering. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses reflected growth in the business needed to support the Company's revenue growth as well as share based compensation expenses.

Income from operations for the first quarter of 2006 was $20.1 million, representing a sequential increase of 59.9% and a year-over-year increase of 76.9%. Operating margin was 22.3% compared to 14.1% in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 29.5% in the first quarter of 2005.

Net income attributable to holders of ordinary shares for the first quarter of 2006 was $19.3 million, representing a 97.7% sequential increase and a 93.3% increase year-over-year. Basic and diluted net income per ADS for the first quarter of 2006 were $0.13 and $0.12, respectively, compared with $0.10 and $0.08 in the fourth quarter of 2005, respectively. First quarter 2005 basic and diluted net income per ADS were both $0.11.

As of March 31, 2006, Suntech had cash and cash equivalents of $345.1 million. Net operating cash outflow for the first quarter was $31 million primarily as Suntech made advance payments to suppliers to secure silicon wafers. The operating cash outflow in the first quarter of 2006 was also due to the increase in inventory balance from $40.4 million as of December 31, 2005 to $61.8 million as of March 31, 2006, as Suntech accumulated raw materials for further production expansion. In the first quarter of 2006, depreciation was $1.4 million and capital expenditures were $12.2 million.

[la-onda]

update:
STP: Short Interest UP 80.1% to 2.0M in Jun 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006 17:21 ET

According to new short interest data from NYSE, short interest for Suntech Power Holdings Corporation, Limited (NYSE: STP) INCREASED 80.1% to 1,975,821 shares for the month ended mid-June, 2006.

SYMBOL               MAY            JUNE          CHANGE       %CHANGE    DAYS/COVER
--------   -------------   -------------   -------------  ------------  ----------
STP            1,096,923       1,975,821        +878,898       +80.12%           2

Based on STP's 20-day average daily share volume of 1,771,940, it would require approximately 2 day(s) of buying to cover this short interest.

[la-onda]

BROKER CALL - China's Suntech kept at 'equal-weight' - Morgan Stanley
Friday , July 07, 2006 04:17 ET

By Staff Reporter

BEIJING, Jul 07, 2006 (XFN-ASIA via COMTEX) -- Morgan Stanley said it is maintaining its "equal weight" call on China's Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd (NYSE STP) after the solar energy equipment maker secured more long-term solar wafer supplies.
"Suntech signed a letter of intent (LOI) with MEMC Electronic Materials Inc to purchase raw materials equivalent to about 5 Gigawatts over the next 10 years. Our confidence level on 2007 earnings estimates is now higher, as we consider MEMC to be a more dependable supplier than some of the other suppliers it had been relying on," Morgan Stanley said in a note to investors.
Suntech will largely consume all the incremental polysilicon (solar cell) production at MEMC, the note said.
"As a result, MEMC has cancelled its LOI with Motech (Industries Inc of Taiwan), which likely will be negative for Motech as well other potential new entrants."
News of more stable material supply flows come as a relief to the solar power company, the note said.

"We believe Suntech has been facing difficulty in securing wafers in the near term and as a result its spot purchasing has increased (evident in high cell sales)," the note said.

Suntech, which makes solar power equipment including photovoltaic cells and arrays, raised 396 mln usd in December last year from its listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Morgan Stanley has a target price for Suntech of 35.00 usd per share.

The company's shares closed Thursday in New York up 0.77 usd, or 2.75 pct, at 28.74.

[cumulina]

News out, and STP is soaring!

Up 9.17% now, HOD so far 28.42

Earnings aug 15, pre market.

Suntech Signs Agreement to Acquire MSK Corporation

August 02, 2006 08:00:40 (ET)


WUXI, China, Aug 02, 2006 /Xinhua-PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (STP, Trade), one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MSK Corporation in a two-step cash and stock transaction. In the first step of the acquisition, which is expected to close in the third quarter 2006, Suntech will acquire a two-thirds equity interest in MSK for $107 million through a combination of subscription to new shares and purchase of existing shares. The balance of the consideration is based upon revenue targets for MSK and will be paid in the second step, which is anticipated to close by the end of 2007.

''While Japan is the world's largest single market for PV modules, it is also one of the most difficult markets for foreign players to enter,'' said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO. ''We anticipate that this acquisition will give Suntech the advantage of MSK's nationwide sales and marketing platform in Japan, which we expect to leverage to grow our market share in this important market.''

Based on the 2006 Photovoltaic System Market Future Outlook Report, Japan, Japan is the most important market for solar energy in terms of both total installation and production of solar cells and modules with 53% of world production. The report also states that Japan is one of the fastest growing markets in the world posting 48% annual growth in 2005 in the production of PV cells and modules.

MSK Corporation is one of Japan's largest PV manufacturers and one of the top-ranking companies in the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) space. MSK provides customer-tailored PV products that give aesthetic finish to a building by replacing the conventional building materials. In addition, MSK provides turnkey solutions to its clients. Its services range from pre-system preliminary studies through to post-installation commissioning and maintenance.

With more than 20 years of experience and good brand name in the PV business, MSK currently has approximately 260 employees, leading technical expertise and one of the world's largest PV module manufacturing plants with a production capacity of approximately 100 megawatts in Nagano, Japan. In 2005, MSK had annual production capacity of approximately 200 megawatts.

''Through this acquisition, Suntech will also gain the advantage of MSK's leading BIPV product and solar system design capability,'' continued Dr. Shi. ''This acquisition will bring two important companies in different PV sectors together and we anticipate that it will result in great synergies. It will enable us to accelerate innovation, bring to market new PV solutions that complement our existing product range, and capture new opportunities within the fast growing BIPV market.''

Dr. Tadao Kasahara, CEO of MSK, said, ''MSK looks forward to continuing to provide commercial and industrial solar solutions to Japan and markets in other parts of the world with both advanced building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and other high-quality PV products. As a subsidiary of Suntech, MSK will be able to access Suntech's support in terms of advanced PV cell/module products and cost competitiveness, financial resources, and distribution channels, as well as have the possibility of pioneering BIPV applications in the Chinese market.''

Suntech expects that MSK's global sales footprint, established branding and international marketing expertise will further Suntech's strategy of diversifying its customer base and developing sales channels in key international markets. MSK's CEO, Dr. Tadao Kasahara, has agreed to remain in his current role for at least four years.

Under the definitive agreement, Suntech will be acquiring MSK in two steps. Upon closing of the first step of the acquisition, which is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2006, Suntech will acquire a two-thirds equity interest in MSK for $107 million in cash. Upon closing of the second step of the acquisition, which is expected to occur by the end of 2007, Suntech will acquire all or a substantial portion of the remaining interest in MSK for a consideration based on MSK's ability to achieve certain revenue targets. If Suntech acquires 100% of the remaining interest in MSK, the range of consideration for the second step is $53 million to $193 million in the form of Suntech shares. The first step of the transaction will be financed through a one year bridge loan.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of MSK's shareholders. The transaction is not subject to regulatory approvals.

Credit Suisse acted as exclusive financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as international counsel for Suntech on the transaction.

PT Global and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities acted as exclusive financial advisors and O'Melveny & Myers LLP served as international counsel for MSK on the transaction.