Higher guidance by LDK boosts solar energy shares

Shares of Chinese-based LDK Solar Co. (NYSE: LDK) are surging after the China-based maker of solar products said its fourth-quarter sales would exceed the upper end of its prior $750-million estimate by 21 percent.

As of 2:59 p.m. (EDT) LDK shares were up by 20.04 percent.

The news is pushing other solar-related stocks: Sunpower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA) is up 7.22 percent; JA Solar Holdings Co. (Nasdaq:JASO) is up 6.32 percent; SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) is up 1.70 percent while Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) has risen 5.07 percent; and First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) is up 2.57 percent.