Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

INTERVIEW-UPDATE 1-Trina Solar sees profit margin growth

Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:12pm IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

* Trina CFO says profit margins will widen in second half

* Trina considering debt or equity offerings to fund growth (Adds details on silicon, expansion plans)

NEW YORK, June 13 (Reuters) - Solar products maker Trina Solar Ltd (TSL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) expects its profit margins to widen in the second half of 2008 as its costs for silicon begin to decline, Chief Financial Officer Terry Wang told Reuters on Friday.

That decline in the cost of silicon, which is used to turn sunlight into electricity inside photovoltaic solar cells, will be sharper than any potential declines in prices for Trina's products, he said.

"We believe the silicon cost on a weighted average will decrease greater than the average selling prices," Wang said.

Last week, Trina shares slumped after it said its second-quarter margins could be squeezed by an expected 5 percent to 10 percent increase in silicon costs.

Rapid growth in the solar production capacity has gobbled up global supplies of silicon, squeezing margins and crimping the sector's growth.

New silicon plants are expected to begin coming on line in the second half of the year, pressuring prices that had jumped as much as tenfold on the spot market over the past three years.

Wang also said the company is considering tapping the debt or equity markets to raise capital to help fund the company's rapid production expansion.  Continued...

India Investment Summit 2009
India Investment Summit 2009

Top executives and bankers discuss their own plans and the broader opportunities and challenges for India during the Reuters India Investment Summit in Mumbai and Bangalore.  Full Coverage | Blog 

Hugh Hefner
PLAYBOY SALE
An icon bows to changing times

With his Playboy Enterprises in talks to be sold for about $300 million, the 83 year-old Hugh Hefner will be giving up control over the iconic adult entertainment empire he founded that was instrumental in shaping society's opinions on nudity, sex and free speech.  Full Article 

Market Update

  • IndiaIndia
  • USUS
  • UKUK
  • Asia
  • Most Actives

SPECIAL REPORT

Himangshu Watts
India's food dilemma

Indian farms are failing to attract capital or talent, either from rich landlords or the students who graduate from agricultural universities.  Full Article | Related Story 

showcase

U.S. Recession
U.S. Recession

A trip through the epicenters of the American recession.  Full Coverage 

 
Central Banks Cautious
Central Banks Cautious

Reuters tracks the policies of the world's top central banks as the debate over global economic recovery rages on.   Full Coverage 

 
T P Raman
Column - RBI leads the world

Reserve Bank of India's approach ring-fenced the banking system.   Full Article 

 
Funding Blues
Funding Blues

A popular tactic used by Indian brokerages to raise money for rich clients is likely to be banned.  Full Article 

 
Not Enough Jobs
Not Enough Jobs

Venture capital creates jobs, but not enough.  Full Article 

 
Column - A Sweet Dream
Column - A Sweet Dream

There are good reasons for Ferrero to consider a combination with Cadbury.  Full Article