Closing Bell: Recession-end sells the short-sellers (PG, HGSI, FSLR, AMSC, TSPT)

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) was a runner along with the market today. The company posted a 1% drop in profit to $3.35 billion with $1.06 EPS. Sales were off 6% to $19.8 billion, but the earnings were above estimates and revenues were in-line, mostly. Shares were up 3.9% at $59.47 late in the day.

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: HGSI) was a screamer to new 52-week highs today on a JPMorgan upgrade ahead of key lupus drug study data next week. There was also very strong options trading in the name. Shares were up 13% at $20.38 late in the day but hit a 52-week high of $20.62.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) was hit hard enough today that that you'd think the market was back to market-crash watch. This stock was down 15% at $128.00 late in the trading day before the closing bell.

American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC) was one of today's top percentage gainers after beating earnings and raising guidance. Shares were up a sharp 23% at $25.60 late in the trading session.

Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSPT) was today's biggest loser after its experimental sleep drug was denied approval and more data was requested that will require more tests. This is a normally very low volume stock that is now near its old cash value, but was down over 48% at $5.91 late in the trading day.