LDK Solar reports disappointing 4Q earnings and 1Q forecast

As for the current quarter, the company expects revenue between $240 million and $280 million. This range is a far cry from the Street's expected revenue of $412.2 million. The story is the same for full year earnings, as LDK forecast revenue between $1.4 billion and $1.8 billion. The Street expects the sultan of the sun to report revenue of $1.92 billion.

LDK's CEO looked forward to 2009, noting, "We enter 2009 with conservative optimism ... In light of the continued economic slowdown and global credit crisis, we recently amended our expansion plans to lower capital expenditure needs in the near term and to better reflect muted market expectations for 2009."

As for the stock, shares of LDK were trading in the $15 region as recently as January, but they have fallen precipitously -- currently relying on support at the $4 level. Turning to a weekly chart, we can see just how far the shares has fallen. In September, shares of LDK were trading in the $45 region -- a good deal higher than the stock's current position.

LDK is poised to start the morning lower as investors digest the earnings report.