The short interest data are out for the December 15 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 December 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous report, and short interest continued to be mixed in these selected stocks for this settlement date.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest rise to 8.35 million shares from the previous level of 7.99 million. Shares closed most recently at $163.55, in a 52-week trading range of $130.09 to $181.81.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) had its short interest fall to 2.57 million shares from the previous 2.69 million. Shares closed most recently at $302.29, within a 52-week range of $254.00 to $480.18.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased to 9.20 million shares from the previous 9.57 million. Shares of Celgene closed most recently at $122.14, in a 52-week range of $92.98 to $140.72.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest rise slightly to 25.25 million shares from 25.17 million in the previous period. Shares closed most recently at $103.58, in a 52-week trading range of $86.00 to $123.37.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest increase to 111.52 million shares. The previous reading was 110.79 million. Shares closed most recently at $1.53, in a 52-week trading range of $1.38 to $7.88.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 5.97 million, compared to the previous level of 6.71 million. The mid-June level was far and away the highest reading on the year, and since that time shares have backed off significantly. Shares closed most recently at $189.41, in a 52-week range of $142.02 to $208.88.

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