The short interest data are out for the April 30 settlement date. Biotech companies are considered a riskier group of stocks, with big upside and big downside. FDA rulings can make or break them. A single failed clinical trial can mean disaster for a stock. 24/7 Wall St. has reviewed the top biotech companies, without focusing on speculative companies.

The April 30 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and for most of the selected stocks, short interest is down.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest drop to 9.21 million shares from the previous reading of 9.75 million. Shares closed Monday at $161.05.91, in a 52-week trading range of $109.92 to $173.60.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) saw its short interest increase to 2.98 million shares from the previous 2.60 million. The company is slowly approaching the lower part of its short interest range from back in November, and it is seemingly returning to its recent historic levels. Shares closed Monday at $396.91, within a 52-week trading range of $285.01.39 to $480.18.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest decreased for this settlement date, to 14.00 million shares. The level for the previous settlement date was 14.68 million. Since March, Celgene has recorded a few of its highest readings of the year, barring a spike last June. Shares of Celgene closed Monday at $113.40, in a 52-week trading range of $72.65 to $129.06.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest fall to 55.51 million shares from 57.43 million in the previous period. Shares closed Monday at $104.73, in a 52-week trading range of $78.50 to $116.83.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest increase to its highest level on the year, some 100.93 million shares. The previous reading was 96.88 million shares. Short interest for MannKind appears to have steadily increased to its 52-week high as investors remain pessimistic. Shares closed Monday at $3.63, in a 52-week trading range of $3.51 to $11.48.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 2.98 million shares, down from the previous level of 3.30 million. Shares closed Monday at $161.04, in a 52-week trading range of $150.06 to $203.30.

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