This stock offers limited prospects

Article Excerpt

You should remain wary of stocks that attract broker/media praise for their high-profile products or services and their business models. Here’s a closer look at one stock with risks that prospective investors should take into consideration: ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, $0.12, (Nasdaq symbol ASTI; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (www.ascentsolar.com; Shares outstanding: 49.9 million; Market cap: $6.4 million; No dividends paid) provides thin-film solar panels for installations that don’t allow for a rigid product. Like other solar panels, thin-film panels convert light energy into electrical energy by way of the photovoltaic effect. But unlike traditional systems, thin-film solar panels are very light and flexible second-generation cells. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, Ascent’s revenue fell sharply to $124,225 from $566,210 a year earlier. The decrease was mainly due to lower revenue from engineering work Ascent provided to a joint venture. Overall, Ascent lost $6.1 million, or $0.17 a share, compared to a loss of $4.3 million, or $0.20 a share (on fewer shares outstanding). The company operates…