Major Oil Has Short Sellers Running for Cover

Energy

Published: May 25, 2016 9:10 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 7:35 am

The short interest data have been released for the May 13 settlement date. With oil prices seemingly on the path to recovery and global markets slowly getting stronger, short interest is now more important than ever to follow.

The May 13 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest for most of the selected stocks decreased.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) saw its short interest decrease to 30.58 million shares from the previous reading of 30.90 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $100.19, in a 52-week trading range of $69.58 to $104.44.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) had short interest that jumped to 42.36 million shares from the previous level of 40.63 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $89.67, within a 52-week range of $66.55 to $90.40.

BP PLC (NYSE: BP) short interest increased to 17.60 million shares from its previous reading of 13.60 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $31.84, in a 52-week range of $27.01 to $42.20.

ALSO READ: The 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks: Short Sellers Pick a New Favorite

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) saw the number of its shares short decrease to 17.36 million from the previous level of 18.81 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $43.46, within a 52-week range of $31.05 to $64.99.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, saw its short interest decrease to 111.81 million shares from the previous 119.75 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $6.18, in a 52-week trading range of $2.71 to $9.72. Unfortunately, Petrobras may be trading on an entirely different set of fundamentals and sentiment due to its woes in Brazil.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) short interest decreased slightly to 11.63 million shares from the previous reading of 11.78 million. Shares closed most recently at $76.12, in a 52-week trading range of $58.24 to $79.89.

Get Ready To Retire ^(Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future