Monday, July 28, 2008

Lazard's Strong Defense of Capstone Turbine (CPST)

Here's the story in reverse chronological order.
From 24/7 Wall Street:
If you trade small-cap alternative energy (or less-brown energy stocks) , then Capstone Turbine Corp. (NASDAQ: CPST) has likely come across your desk. Despite a recent pounding with a 35% pullback, shares are still up nearly 200% from last year's lows.

We noticed a severe volume alert yesterday morning at Volume Spike which appears to be twofold with a market drop and lower energy prices and on what may have been an institution lightening up on its shares.

Today we have Lazard Capital Markets analyst Sanjay Shrestha coming to the defense of Capstone Turbine. Shrestha notes that yesterday's (and recent days) sell-off on macro events alone with a volatile energy market gives an opportunity for new funds to get into the stock....MORE

From FoxBusiness, the day before:

Capstone Turbine Corporation Addresses Statements Made in Interview with Bloomberg Reporter

...an interview with Darren R. Jamison, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer....

The Bloomberg article, published on July 21, 2008, quotes Mr. Jamison as saying that sales estimates in the mid-$50 million range for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 "are very obtainable and reasonable." The article also quotes Mr. Jamison as stating that the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 "is a reasonable date" for the Company to achieve an annual profit. Mr. Jamison's comments were in response to questions about an analyst's specific financial model indicating a revenue target in the mid-$50 million range for the year ended March 31, 2009 and profitability in 2012. The comments were not intended to represent management's financial projections or outlook in general.

The Company does not publicly disclose its internal financial projections....MORE

And the Bloomberg article that started it all:
Capstone Turbine Targets Profit by 2012, Chief Says

Capstone Turbine Corp., whose miniturbine powers buses being tested by New York City Transit as a fuel-efficient alternative, may boost sales 66 percent this year and be profitable by 2012, Chief Executive Officer Darren Jamison said....MORE