VC spending for alternative energy tumbles 63 pct

[phantom power]

NEW YORK – Venture capitalists reined in spending on renewable energy to begin the year, with funding for research and startup projects falling 63 percent through March, according to an industry report released Monday.

(...)

There were a few surprises, however, with some comparatively big money going toward the critical technology of storing energy. New investments more than doubled to $114 million, making energy storage the biggest lure among venture capitalists in early 2009.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090511/ap_on_bi_ge/us_venture_capital_energy;_ylt=AoGIyJh4hiEWueXdYjEsAtdpl88F

[rfranklin]

1. Geez, I thought the Viet Cong were at work again...

freakin' flashbacks!

[madokie]

3. I was afraid to click on this at first too

[JohnWxy]

2. big increases in storing energy, and fuel cells sectors.

There were a few surprises, however, with some comparatively big money going toward the critical technology of storing energy. New investments more than doubled to $114 million, making energy storage the biggest lure among venture capitalists in early 2009.

The fuel cell sector attracted $45 million in the first quarter, compared with none a year earlier, according to the analysis released Monday.

[JohnWxy]

4. I estimate invesments in new stock issues down 82% for all corporations.

From Qtr I: 2008 to Qtr I: 2009, based on Federal Reserve data. (based on 'offered at' prices)

Fed Res data: Jan 2009 & Feb 2009 new stock issues, in millions of $s

Fed Res data: new stock issues May thru Dec 2008

Jan & Feb 2009 = 6.7 Billion (couldn't get data for April). Average = $3.3 Billion per month
May thru Dec 2008 = $132 Billion
For all 2008 = $207 Billion
Difference total minus (May thru Dec) 2008 = $74.7 Billion average for (Jan - April) = $18.7 Billion per month

3.3/18.7 = .18
1 - .18 = - .82 ~ 82% decline.


so VC investment isn't doing too bad.

Memo to ERNEST SCHEYDER, AP: Remember to put things in (the proper) perspective.