Health and Healthcare

Short Sellers Grow More Selective on Major Biotechs

Chris Lange

Published: May 25, 2016 8:20 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 7:36 am

The short interest data are out for the May 13 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 May 13 short interest data have been compared with the previous report, and short interest moves were mixed in these selected biotech stocks.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest rise to 7.50 million shares from the previous level of 7.36 million. Shares closed most recently at $152.72, in a 52-week trading range of $130.09 to $181.81.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) had its short interest increase to 2.24 million shares from the previous level of 1.95 million. The stock closed Tuesday at $272.94, within a 52-week range of $242.07 to $420.99.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date increased to 8.94 million shares from the previous 7.97 million. Shares closed most recently at $103.70, in a 52-week range of $92.98 to $140.72.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest decrease to 97.22 million shares. The previous reading was 105.71 million. Shares closed most recently at $0.97, in a 52-week trading range of $0.64 to $7.32.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 5.49 million, compared to the previous level of 5.56 million. Shares closed most recently at $146.67, in a 52-week range of $124.16 to $208.88.