"The trick within the solar sector is to home in on the stock within the group that has the best shot at putting on a great show," says Paul Goodwin.

The editor of Cabot China & Emerging Markets Report explains, "And we think that stock is LDK Solar (LDK), a company that is displaying and forecasting some of the most dynamic growth of any company we follow -- solar or not.

"LDK Solar got its start in 2005 and came public during the glory days of 2007-the stock nearly tripled from its IPO in June to its top that fall. The company's claim to fame was its polysilicon and ingots, two of the base supplies needed to make most solar cells and modules.

LDK Solar (LDK - option chain) shares are rising today to notch a new 52-week high after the company reported Q3 earnings last night, posting a profit of $29.4 million, or 27 cents per share, on revenue of $675.6 million. Analysts had forecast a profit of 43 cents per share on revenue of $628.1 million. LDK also forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $710 to $750 million. Analysts have forecast revenue of $594 million. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on LDK.

LDK opened this morning at $14.85. So far today the stock has hit a low of $14.25 and a high of $15.10. As of 12:20, LDK is trading at $14.45 up 0.96 (7.1%). The chart for LDK looks neutral and S&P gives LDK a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

LDK Solar (LDK - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported Q2 earnings of 0.36 per share on revenues of $565M, beating analysts' estimates of 0.22 and $458 by a good margin. The company also lifted its forecast for the next quarter and the full year, but the stock is trading lower today, dragged down by the sagging market and weak economic data from China. On any other day, this kind of earnings report would probably send LDK up by leaps and bounds, so we could be seeing a good opportunity to make a trade. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on LDK.

LDK opened this morning at $7.63. So far today the stock has hit a low of $7.26 and a high of $7.80. As of 12:15, LDK is trading at $7.36 down 0.11 (1.5%). The chart for LDK looks bullish and S&P gives LDK its highest 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Solar provider LDK Solar (LDK) rallied a bit in pre-open and early trading thanks to an upgrade from Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. The brokerage elevated LDK to buy from underperform, which is a two-level upgrade. The ratings house based its upgrade on the fact that it sees lower risks of oversupply.

Technically, LDK may need a bit more than this rally to help it finally break through overhead resistance. The stock is trading in the $6 region thanks to the upgrade, but it needs far more momentum. The shares face double-barreled resistance from their 10- and 20-week moving averages. These trendlines are descending through the upper reaches of the $6 region, and are quickly falling toward LDK's current position.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Acuity Brands Inc. (AYI) Q2 results were essentially flat but an analyst's upgraded helped boost shares.
• Borders Group Inc. (BGP) reported strong Q4 earnings due to cost cutting but revenue continued to decline.
• Cal-Maine Foods Inc. (CALM) received an analyst's downgrade on valuation following release of its Q3 report.
• CarMax Inc. (KMX) rose to a new 52-week high following better-than-expected Q4 earnings and sales results.
• Charming Shoppes Inc. (CHRS) posted a smaller-than-expected Q4 net loss and said same-store sales declined.

The solar power industry is no doubt a fascinating long-term thesis; future solutions for global energy needs, ones that involve alternatives to oil-based platforms, will be in demand. Even so, that doesn't mean I have to like LDK Solar (LDK) after its fourth-quarter report.

According to TheFly.com, LDK Solar didn't score a win in the analyst expectations game. The call was for 12 cents per share. On an adjusted basis, the Chinese solar entity brought in only 3 cents per share. The top line was okay, but as indicated, margin quality wasn't necessarily the greatest. According to Reuters, management is counting on margin improvement in the coming year. That's cool.

Talk about stocks that have fallen far and fast. LDK Solar (LDK) was looking to add a bit of momentum with its earnings report, as the stock is battling overhead resistance from its 20-week moving average. This trendline has pushed the stock lower for a majority of 2009 and 2008, during which LDK has dropped from its late-2008 high of $52.40 to its current perch near the $8 level.

The good news is that a news event like an earnings report could lend momentum to any squandering stock, so let's see what LDK reported. The solar panel producer earned 27 cents per share in the third quarter, far worse than last year's same-quarter earnings of 77 cents per share. Quarterly revenue was nearly halved, as LDK brought in $281.9 million compared to $542 million.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKS) reported better-than-expected Q3 results but shares fell anyway.
• Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) posted strong Q3 results but shares sold off on a disappointing guidance.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) said lower Q1 earnings fell short of analysts expectations.
• Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc. (NYSE: DWA) topped Q3 profit and revenue estimates, lifting shares.
• Geron Corp. (NASDAQ: GERN) posted a narrower-than-expected Q3 loss, sending shares sharply higher.
• Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) reported lower Q2 earnings and sales on weak demand for cars.

LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) was broadly higher Tuesday after boosting its top-line guidance for the third quarter. The alternative energy issue now anticipates revenue of $270 million to $290 million for the period, compared to its earlier forecast for $240 million to $270 million. Analysts' consensus expectations call for third-quarter revenue of just $249.9 million, according to Thomson Reuters.

LDK added that it now expects wafer shipments for the third quarter to range between 310 megawatts (MW) and 330 MW, up from its previous view of 260 MW to 300 MW. Simultaneously, the firm dropped its forecast for module shipments -- instead of 10 MW to 20 MW, LDK is now looking for module shipments of 5 MW to 10 MW.

After the closing bell sounds this afternoon, LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) will report quarterly earnings. Expectations are pegged at a loss of 91 cents per share for the solar firm, so what can you expect in the wake of the report? Let's take a look at LDK's technical prospects and what an earnings miss or stronger-than-expected earnings could do for the company.

First things first, LDK manufactures and sells solar wafers to other solar manufacturers, both in China (the company's home) and across the globe. The company performed well in the past, when the new global conscience had companies and individuals looking for cleaner forms of energy. Unfortunately, this little thing called a recession occurred, pulling many customers away from LDK and hurting the company on the bottom line.

LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK - option chain) stock is falling today after the company announced a weak forecast for Q2 revenue last Thursday after the close. Today's weakness in oil futures is also not helping LDK stock. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on LDK.

This morning, LDK opened at $10.20. So far today the stock has hit a low of $9.66 and a high of $10.52. As of 12:15, LDK is trading at $9.87, down $1.04 (-9.5%). The chart for LDK looks bearish and S&P gives LDK a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.

Chinese solar firm LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) reported earnings Wednesday, revealing that a massive writedown caused weaker-than-expected earnings. LDK reported a fourth-quarter loss of $1.25 per share, compared to a gain of 77 cents per share in the previous quarter and earnings of 44 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

The company's revenue increased more than twofold compared to last year, but the $426.6 million was 21.3% lower on a sequential basis. Analysts were expecting a loss of 84 cents per share on revenue of $422 million. The quarterly results took a hit of $216.7 million related to an inventory writedown.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI) reported lower Q1 earnings that still beat analysts' expectations.
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) reported unimpressive Q3 results but shares rose anyway.
• Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) warned of lower Q4 earnings due to lower oil prices and narrow margins.
• Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) Q3 earnings tumbled on on restructuring costs and weaker sales.
• Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO) topped Q1 earnings expectations as consumers seek bargains.
• Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) lowered its Q4 revenue guidance once more due to lower demand.
• LDK Solar Co. (NYSE: LDK) cut its Q4 revenue outlook as clients asked for delayed shipments.
• Manitowoc Co. (NYSE: MTW) said profit will likely come in at the low end of its previous guidance range.
• Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) reported strong Q1 numbers and raised its full-year guidance.
• Neogen Corp. (NASDAQ: NEOG) posted its 63rd-consecutive profitable quarter, helped by an acquisition.
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (NASDAQ: RMCF) posted dismal Q3 numbers on economic downturn.
• Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD) higher-than-expected December sales prompted raised guidance.
• Supervalu Inc. (NYSE: SVU) reported a Q3 loss because of hefty one-time charges, but topped estimates.
• Walmart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) cut its Q4 forecast after lower-than-expected December sales.
• Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) forecast lower-than-expected Q4 earnings on weak December sales.

For more earnings highlights, see Time Warner, Satyam, Google, KB Home, Mosaic and others

Upcoming earnings releases include Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA), Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), Linear Technologies (NASDAQ: LLTC) , Xilinx (NASDAQ: XLNX), Genentech (NYSE: DNA), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Marshall & Ilsley (NYSE: MI), Sealy (NYSE: ZZ), Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK - option chain) stock is falling today after the company cut its fourth-quarter revenue forecast to $425 to $435 million, down from a previous estimate of $555 to $565 million. Analysts are looking for revenue of $540 million. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on LDK.

This morning, LDK opened at $13.53. So far today the stock has hit a low of $13 and a high of $13.95. As of 12:05, LDK is trading at $13.29, down $1.55 (-10.4%). The chart for LDK looks neutral and S&P gives LDK a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a February bear-call credit spread above the $17.50 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think it will but still leverages nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make an 8.7% return in six weeks as long as LDK is below $17.50 at February expiration. LDK would have to rise by more than 31% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.

LDK hasn't been above $17.50 at all in since early November and shown resistance around $15 recently.

Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.

DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in LDK.

Increasing demand for solar energy and solar products proved to be a boon for Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) and LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) as both companies reported Wednesday that their earnings soared in the third quarter. Investors were not impressed, however, pushing shares lower.

Trina Solar, a maker of solar photovoltaic products, said its net income quadrupled to $32.1 million, or $1.17 per American Depository Share, from the same period of the previous year. These results included a foreign currency exchange loss of $4.9 million. Revenue more than tripled to $290.7 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, on average, had expected a profit of $1.21 per share on revenue of $276.9 million.

However, the company lowered its full-year 2008 revenue estimate to range between $800 and $850 million because the company expects fewer product shipments for the year than previously forecast.

Shares of Trina Solar fell to a 52-week low of $6.81 Wednesday. The share price is 86.8% lower than a year ago.