New research shows cleantech sector mired in difficult overall financing environment

September 30th, 2009 Investors seen returning to 'cleantech' sectorDENVER — Investors cautiously began putting money into solar, electric cars and other clean technology companies in the third quarter as government funding helped bolster confidence, a research group said Wednesday. Cleantech Group LLC and Deloitte said Wednesday that third-quarter venture investment in the sector totaled $1.6 billion in 134 companies in North America, Europe, China and India.

September 30th, 2009 Deloitte: Investors return to 'cleantech' sectorDENVER — A research firm is reporting signs that investors are slowly returning to the clean technology sector by putting money into solar and wind companies, batteries, electric vehicles and green building products. Deloitte's Cleantech Group said Wednesday that third-quarter investment in the sector totaled $1.6 billion in 134 companies in North America, Europe, China and India.

September 3rd, 2009 US service sector contraction slows in AugustNEW YORK — A trade group's measure of U.S. service sector activity shows last month's decline was the slowest in 11 months.

August 27th, 2009 Goldman analyst upgrades mid-cap brokers sectorBOSTON — A Goldman Sachs analyst on Thursday upgraded his sector rating for midsized brokerages, saying an expected resurgence of corporate mergers and acquisitions as well as initial public offerings should lift the firms. In addition to raising his coverage view of mid-cap brokers to "Attractive" from "Neutral," Goldman analyst Daniel Harris raised his rating on the M&A boutique firm Greenhill & Co.

August 11th, 2009 Jaguar Land Rover secures private fundingLONDON — The Indian owner of car and sport-utility vehicle maker Jaguar Land Rover said Tuesday it no longer needs government funding after securing a 175 million pound ($288 million) private sector loan. Tata Motors said it has secured some direct bank loans as well as guarantees that will allow it access to European Investment Bank funds.

July 29th, 2009 Venture capital gets back in the cleantech gameDENVER — Venture capitalists increased investments in alternative energy by 73 percent over the past three months, according to a report issued Wednesday, an indication that the horrible market conditions from earlier this year may have abated. Investors are also be growing more confident because the government is making good on promises to try to shift the national energy policy more toward wind, solar and other renewable technologies.

July 28th, 2009 USEC denied loan guarantee to finish uranium plantBETHESDA, Md. — USEC says the Department of Energy has denied its application for a $2 billion loan guarantee to complete the construction of an Ohio uranium enrichment plant.

June 25th, 2009 Judge gives final OK to bankruptcy financingNEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge says GM can have access to its full $33.3 billion in bankruptcy financing. Judge Robert Gerber gave final approval to the financing on Thursday.

June 19th, 2009 Attorney says Visteon making progress on financingWILMINGTON, Del. — Auto-parts supplier Visteon Corp.

June 10th, 2009 Japan machinery orders down 5.4 percent in AprilTOKYO — Japan's core machinery orders, a closely watched indicator of corporate spending, dropped 5.4 percent in April, the government said Wednesday, dimming prospects for a quick recovery in the world's second-largest economy. The April result was far worse than the average forecast among market analysts of a 0.6 percent month-on-month rise in core machinery orders.

June 2nd, 2009 Judge OKs use of GM bankruptcy financingNEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge says General Motors can have immediate access to $15 billion in government financing as it attempts to quickly restructure under court protection. U.S. Judge Robert Gerber gave interim approval to the Detroit-based automaker's use of a total of $33.3 billion in financing, with the $15 billion available for use over the next three weeks.

May 2nd, 2009 Chrysler Financial to suspend dealer financingFARMINGTON, Mich. — Chrysler Financial says it's temporarily suspending financing for Chrysler dealers effective immediately.

May 2nd, 2009 AbitibiBowater needs debtor financingMONTREAL — Insolvent U.S. newsprint maker AbitibiBowater says it desperately needs a cash infusion from debtor financing after losing $2.2 billion last year.

April 27th, 2009 Obama promises major investment in R&DWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday promised a major investment in research and development, with the goal of spending 3 percent of the nation's gross domestic product on scientific innovation. Obama made the announcement in a speech at the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences.

April 24th, 2009 Lufthansa says it's prepared for difficult marketFRANKFURT — Airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Friday it expects the current difficult operating environment to continue in 2009, but that it was well prepared for the economic turbulence and the expected consolidation in the airline industry. At the company's annual general meeting, Cologne-based Lufthansa, Germany's largest airline, reiterated the extent and duration of the current economic crisis can't be forecast.