weiwentg

The Solar (and Wind) Stock Also Rises

Fuel Tech's sales are rather lumpy. I'm not losing too much sleep over their low sales this quarter; I'd be far more worried if their sales over the full year were still sluggish.

I compare them in some ways to International Game Tech (IGT), another stock I like. IGT makes, leases, and sells gaming machines. It's the clear leader in its field, but its sales are also lumpy. The stock has been punished this year. I had the good fortune to pick it up for very cheap in late 05, and sold earlier this year. Well, IGT went down even more from when I sold it, and I picked it up again.

Back to FTEK. I don't think they have as wide a moat as IGT. But, they have very promising and very real technology. They are aimed at coal - an existing, very developed industry. They're not seeking to build a whole new industry, like wind, solar, or geothermal. And their executives have significant ties to the coal industry. This is not a fly by night stock. I'm going to try not to lose too much sleep, or pop too much champagne, over the wild swings.