Health and Healthcare

Big Biotechs Scare Off Short Sellers

nevodka / iStock

The short interest data are out for the most recent settlement date, June 14. Generally speaking, companies within the biotech industry are considered a riskier group of stocks, with big potential upside and big potential downside.

As we have said before, FDA rulings can make or break the biotech stocks, and short sellers and mega-bulls often go to war against each other in these companies. After all, if a single failed clinical trial can mean disaster for a stock, then some short sellers can argue for a stock implosion down the road.

24/7 Wall St. has reviewed the top biotech companies, without focusing on speculative companies. The June 14 short interest data has been compared with the previous report, and short interest in most of these selected biotech stocks decreased.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest decrease to 9.45 million shares from the previous level of 10.13 million. Shares were last seen trading at $183.05, in a 52-week range of $166.30 to $210.19.

Short interest in Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) increased slightly to 3.96 million shares from the previous 3.83 million. The stock recently traded at $239.70, within a 52-week range of $216.12 to $388.67.

Celgene Corp.’s (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased to 10.87 million shares from the previous level of 11.54 million. Shares were changing hands at $93.05, in a 52-week range of $58.59 to $98.97.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest rise to 12.58 million shares from 12.08 billion in the previous period. Shares were trading at $67.65, in a 52-week range of $60.32 to $79.61.

The number of MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) shares short shrank to 35.24 million. The previous reading was 37.17 million. The stock was trading at $1.11 a share, in a 52-week range of $0.94 to $3.04.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest declined to 3.30 million shares from the previous 3.43 million. Shares were trading at $124.50, in a 52-week range of $92.56 to $141.86.


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