Health and Healthcare

Short Sellers Become More Selective on Major Biotechs

Chris Lange

Published: June 10, 2016 8:10 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 6:58 am

The short interest data are out for the May 31 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 31 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 fall to 7.31 million shares from the previous level of 7.50 million. Shares closed most recently at $156.78, in a 52-week trading range of $130.09 to $181.81.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) had its short interest slightly increase to 2.44 million shares from the previous level of 2.24 million. The stock closed Thursday at $250.46, within a 52-week range of $242.07 to $420.99.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased very slightly to 8.93 million shares from the previous 8.94 million. Shares closed most recently at $106.13, in a 52-week range of $92.98 to $140.72.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest increase to 26.23 million shares from 23.36 million in the previous period. Shares closed Thursday at $85.77, in a 52-week trading range of $81.28 to $123.37.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest decrease to 86.48 million shares. The previous reading was 97.22 million. Shares closed most recently at $1.03, in a 52-week trading range of $0.64 to $6.24.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 5.15 million, compared to the previous level of 5.49 million. Shares closed most recently at $138.24, in a 52-week range of $124.16 to $208.88.