Brighter reviews for Advanced Energy

Advanced Energy Industries is attracting the attention of investors as it presses ahead with a restructuring expected to run through 2014.

The Fort Collins-based solar inverter and thin-films company’s stock recently hit a 52-week high of $16.45 despite lower earnings of $20.6 million in 2012 vs. $36.3 million in 2011.

But that didn’t stop Citigroup from initiating coverage of AE with a recommendation that investors buy the stock.

Increased interest in the company comes in the second year of a three-year restructuring in which Advanced Energy hopes to save $55 million annually through jobs cuts and outsourcing.

Things have looked…