Energy

Big Oil Scares Off Short Sellers

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Crude oil was trading right around $51 a barrel early on Wednesday. Over the past month, crude has been down sharply following the markets lower for the year. However, it is worth pointing out that the current crude price still pales in comparison to what it was in 2014.

The November 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest in most of these selected big oil stocks decreased.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) saw its short interest decrease slightly to 17.45 million shares from the previous reading of 17.53 million. The shares were last seen trading at $115.80, in a 52-week range of $107.54 to $133.88.

Short interest in Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) fall to 28.04 million shares from the previous level of 30.08 million. The stock traded at $77.40, within a 52-week range of $72.16 to $89.30.

BP PLC (NYSE: BP) short interest decreased to 5.42 million shares from the previous level of 6.19 million. Shares traded at $40.35, in a 52-week range of $36.15 to $47.83.

The number of ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) shares short shrank to 11.64 million from the previous 12.38 million. Shares were trading at $65.35, within a 52-week range of $49.72 to $80.24.

Short interest at Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, increased to 40.60 million shares from the previous 33.90 million. The stock traded at $14.25 a share, in a 52-week range of $9.02 to $17.20. Unfortunately, Petrobras may be trading on an entirely different set of fundamentals and sentiment due to its ongoing woes in Brazil.

Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s (NYSE: OXY) short interest increased to 14.05 million shares from the previous reading of 11.96 million. Shares recently traded at $69.15, in a 52-week range of $62.47 to $87.67.

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