Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Chinese Solar Giant LDK Close to Default (LDK)

That's one way to get supply and demand back in balance.
To those folks who argued "Moore's Law" over "Dumping by Manufacturers at less than market prices",  thbpbpthpt pfftthpth.
From AltEnergyStocks:
LDK Melts Down, Solar Default Signs Grow
One of China’s 2 major meltdowns in the solar panel sector has taken a big step forward with word that trading in shares of LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) has been suspended and the de-listing process formally begun as the company liquidates. Meantime, word of a missed interest payment by a building materials maker is sending the latest signal that China will let more companies in ailing sectors default on their debt rather than pay off their creditors. That’s an important signal for the solar sector, which relies heavily on such debt to finance its operations and where many smaller players are in danger of similar defaults.

Let’s start this solar summary with LDK, which together with former solar superstar Suntech (OTC: STPFQ) is in the process of liquidating amid a broader sector clean-up. But whereas Suntech has been liquidating under the supervision of a bankruptcy judge, LDK has chosen the stranger route of winding down without such protection. Perhaps that’s not too surprising since China is quite new at bankruptcy reorganizations, though it has created a strange process where LDK has been quietly talking with its creditors and selling off assets in a process that’s not too transparent.

The company gave an update last week on talks with its bondholders and an interim financing agreement (company announcement), and has just provided a further update on the imminent de-listing of its stock. (company announcement) According to the announcement, trading in shares of LDK has been formally suspended — something that should have happened long ago. LDK also said the New York Stock Exchange has begun a process of de-listing the company’s shares....MORE