Health and Healthcare

Mixed Views on Major Biotech Short Interest

Chris Lange

Published: December 10, 2015 8:40 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 4:15 pm

The short interest data are out for the November 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 November 30 short interest data have been compared with the previous report, and short interest was mixed in these selected stocks for this settlement date.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest rise to 7.99 million shares from the previous level of 7.80 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $157.89, in a 52-week trading range of $130.09 to $181.81.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) had its short interest fall to 2.69 million shares from the previous 3.04 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $284.61, within a 52-week trading range of $254.00 to $480.18.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased to 9.57 million shares from the previous 10.52 million. Shares of Celgene closed Wednesday at $110.94, in a 52-week range of $92.98 to $140.72.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest rise slightly to 25.17 million shares from 25.09 million in the previous period. Shares closed Wednesday at $101.95, in a 52-week trading range of $85.95 to $123.37.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest decline to 110.79 million shares. The previous reading was 120.55 million. The current reading is the one of the highest of the year. Shares closed Wednesday at $1.55, in a 52-week trading range of $1.50 to $7.88.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest remained flat at 6.71 million, compared to the previous level. The mid-June level was far and away the highest reading on the year, and since that time shares have backed off significantly. Shares closed Wednesday at $183.16, in a 52-week range of $142.02 to $208.88.