Canadian Solar (CSIQ) announced its un-audited financial results for the 1st quarter of 2009 ended March 31, 2009. In the reported quarter, net revenues were $49.5 million, compared to net revenues of $171.2 million for the year-ago 1st quarter of 2008 and $68.8 million for the sequential 4th quarter of 2008.Shipments in the reported quarter were approximately 18 MW [megawatts], including 1.2 MW of solar grade e-Modules and 1.6 MW of solar cells and specialty solar application products.The net loss for the quarter on a GAAP basis was $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $18.6 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the 1st quarter of 2008 and net loss of $49.2 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, for the sequential 4th quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP net loss for the quarter was $0.10 per diluted share, compared to ...

Most of us aren’t compulsive gamblers, heavy drinkers, or chain smokers. Three habits that over time, are bad for your wallet and - more importantly - your health. But from an investment standpoint, the so-called “sin stocks” - companies that make alcohol, firearms, cigarettes and those that operate gambling casinos - are doing quite well.

How well?

The International Securities Exchange SINdex (SIN), an index that solely tracks “sin” stocks, is up more than 30% since January…

This compares to the S&P Retail Index’s gain of just 15%. Against the broader S&P 500 Index, it’s done even better: up nearly 40% in just the past two months. And it’s up nearly 88% since its March low.

Perhaps your personal philosophy isn’t inclined toward vice or sin stocks. And that’s fine - there are plenty of other sectors that are performing well these days.

But for those who want further diversification in a sector that’s highly

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The Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China formally goes into effect on June 1. According to the new law, any food addictives that are not in the approved government catalog must not be used. No food products can be sold inspection-free and consumers can claim for ten times of the value of the [...]

China-based JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (JASO) announced disappointing financial results for its 1st quarter of 2009 ended March 31, 2009.Revenue in the reported quarter was $33.9 million, a decrease of 79.4% from $164.2 million in the comparable prior year 1st quarter of 2008, and a decrease of 76.3% from $143.3 million reported for the sequential 4th quarter of 2008.Likewise, total gross loss in the reported quarter was $20.9 million, significantly down compared to a gross profit of $34.5 million in the year ago 1st quarter of 2008, and gross profit of $1.4 million in the sequential 4th quarter of 2008.Total operating expenses in the 1st quarter of 2009 were $7.4 million, compared with $10.6 million in the 1st quarter of 2008 and $19.1 million in the 4th quarter of 2008. Stock-based compensation charged to the income statement amounted to $7.9 million ...

BEDFORD, Mass -- May 21 2009 -- Spire Corporation (NASDAQ: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules and cells worldwide, today announced it has appointed three new companies to represent Spire internationally: Servo Dynamics Co., Ltd. in The People's Republic of China

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, People’s Republic of China – As deep as the U.S. auto industry’s financial crisis seems to be, there may actually be a fairly simple solution. Sell out to China. Nearly a decade ago, I warned that Detroit’s Big Three – General Motors Corp. [GM: 1.09, -0.06 (-5.22%)], Ford Motor Co. [F: 5.49, +0.33 (+6.40%)]and Chrysler LLC – had better learn to speak Chinese if they wanted to survive. I’ve repeated that warning many times since. Now, it appears that the idea is finally entering mainstream thought. China may well be Detroit’s lifeline. From some – chiefly those who don’t understand that Detroit has largely failed to make a passing grade in an increasingly global economy – my warnings have attracted a lot of criticism. That’s unfortunate, because by

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PetroAlgae, an emerging renewable energy company, today issued a Special Letter to Shareholders. The letter updates the investment community on the current status of the company and its future growth outlook. The entire letter is posted below:

“Dear Fellow Shareholder,

As an investor in PetroAlgae Inc. (OTCBB: PALG), you have joined a select group of forward-looking people who understand the potential of micro-crops as one of the most viable new sources of clean, renewable feedstocks in the petroleum and biofuels industries. Moreover, you have delivered a vote of confidence in a company with technologies that we believe are on the brink of producing new and substantial revenue streams. For that we thank you, and we pledge to keep your interests paramount. In response to your support for PetroAlgae and your interest in our industry, we intend to communicate with you on a regular basis through letters such as these, among

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SinoHub, Inc., the growing China-based electronic supply chain management services company, today announced a dramatic vote of confidence from the financial market in the form of a $6.4 million bank line. The new line is being made available through the Shenzhen branch of the Hangzhou Bank, and is expected to be used for continued expansion of SinoHub’s electronic component procurement fulfillment and component sales business lines in China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hangzhou Bank will issue Letters of Credit (LC) to SinoHub Shenzhen, with a 20% cash deposit requirement on all LCs. The bank will issue LCs to SinoHub for terms up to 120 days, with interest of at least 1.1 times the base deposit interest rate, which is currently set at 4.12% by the People’s Bank of China. Up to $1.46 million of the line may be used as a revolving cash line. The bank line expires

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[Editor's Note: Money MorningInvestment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald is one of the world's leading experts on Asia, especially China. Right now, Fitz-Gerald is leading an investment tour of the Red Dragon, and he'll be sending along regular investment travelogues to update Money Morning readers on his latest observations. Fitz-Gerald previously wrote about China’s fast-growing auto market.] By Keith Fitz-Gerald Investment Director Money Morning/The Money Map Report BEIJING, The People’s Republic of China – For the debt-ridden West, the global financial crisis has been an unmitigated disaster, forcing the so-called developed economies to take on financial commitments that will serve as burdens for years, if not for generations. For cash-rich China, however, the financial crisis is shaping up to be a major opportunity, with payoffs that will last for decades. You want proof? The China Council ...

BEIJING, The People’s Republic of China – If there’s a recession here in China, I don’t see it. Granted, I just stepped off the plane here in Beijing a few hours ago, but already the city feels much more vibrant than I expected, given the dire reports that keep appearing in the mainstream Western financial-news media. The Beijing economy appears strong.

Consider the airport. While more subdued than it was just prior to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, it’s still humming. And the airplane on the flight over here was packed, with nearly a vacant seat in sight. Of course, having my luggage actually beat me to the carousel was a big plus – just like it always is. There’s a policy that all bags are unloaded in 12 minutes.

From my hotel room in the Beijing Central Business District, I can see

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