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 January 12 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 52.18 million shares from the previous 49.91 million. Its shares were last seen trading at $37.00, within a 52-week trading range of $30.93 to $37.37.

The number of Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) shares short increased to 24.09 million from 21.71 million in the previous period. Its shares were trading at $61.20, in a 52-week range of $53.63 to $66.80.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.’s (NYSE: TEVA) short interest decreased to 70.39 million from the previous level of 87.65 million. Shares were trading at $20.80, in a 52-week range of $10.85 to $37.94.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) short interest increased to 10.63 million shares from the previous reading of 7.94 million. Shares were trading at $64.05, within a 52-week range of $46.01 to $66.10.

The number of shares short in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) increased to 16.21 million, compared to the previous 15.10 million. The stock was trading at $106.30, in a 52-week range of $59.27 to $106.97.

Eli Lilly and Co.’s (NYSE: LLY) short interest increased to 12.65 million shares from the previous 12.18 million. The stock was trading at $84.85. The 52-week range is $74.00 to $89.09.

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