Short Sellers Hike Bets in Major Pharma

Health and Healthcare

Published: August 10, 2017 8:40 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 9:15 am

Pharmaceutical companies usually are involved in a lengthy process of getting their drug candidates to market through clinical trials. There is a fair amount of risk involved, should a study come back negative or a candidate not be approved. Conversely, if a drug gains FDA approval or passes a clinical trial, there can be big upside.

The White House has promised reforms in the health care sector, such as changing the bidding process for drugs and shortening the FDA approval process. It has yet to be seen how much headway they can actually make with these reforms, even as Congress keeps attempting to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Keep in mind that short sellers betting against big pharma are taking on an added risk. They have to pay out the ongoing high dividends on top of the cost of borrowing the shares.

The July 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest in most of these selected pharmaceutical stocks increased.

Short interest in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) increased to 43.17 million shares from the previous 41.25 million. Its shares were last seen at $33.45, within a 52-week trading range of $29.83 to $35.38.

The number of Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) shares short fell to 15.13 million from 15.19 million in the previous period. Its shares were trading at $62.49, in a 52-week range of $58.29 to $66.80.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.’s (NYSE: TEVA) short interest increased to 45.91 million from the previous level of 39.29 million. Shares were trading at $17.50, in a 52-week range of $17.47 to $55.39.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) short interest increased to 8.81 million shares from the previous reading of 8.62 million. Shares were trading at $57.40, within a 52-week range of $46.01 to $61.30.

The number of shares short in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) jumped to 21.03 million, compared to the previous 20.72 million. The stock was trading at $72.02, in a 52-week range of $55.06 to $75.04.

Eli Lilly and Co.’s (NYSE: LLY) short interest increased to 10.29 million shares from the previous 9.53 million. The stock was trading at $82.57. The 52-week range is $64.18 to $86.72.