ADRs in Focus: Solar companies mostly slide

Robert Bosch GmbH, the world's largest auto parts supplier, said Monday it would pay $850 million, a steep premium, for Germany's ersol Solar Energy.

The solar sector, a cornerstone of the alternative industry, has been relatively free of acquisition-related activity thus far.

Meanwhile, the German government instituted a cut in state subsidies to solar energy providers that was less severe than expected.

Yet ADRs of solar companies based in China mostly slipped during the session, as the broader American markets wobbled after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the U.S. economy may improve later this year, but suggested additional interest rate cuts may not come for a while.

ADR stands for American Depositary Receipt, which is a security designed to allow U.S. investors to trade shares of companies based overseas.

Shares of Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. fell 70 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $20.09, while shares of China Sunergy Co. lost 57 cents, or 4.6 percent, to $11.74.

Shares of LDK Solar Co. decreased $1.18, or 2.6 percent, to $44.43, shares of Solarfun Power Holdings Co. slipped 65 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $21.44 and shares of Suntech Power Holdings Co. slipped 88 cents to $40.17. Shares of JA Solar Holdings Co. lost 20 cents to $20.63

Bucking the trend, shares of Trina Solar Ltd. added 33 cents to $44.19.

The Bank of New York Emerging Markets ADR Index--which includes shares of companies based in China, Mexico, Brazil and more--lost 8.69 points, or 2.3 percent, to 372.52.