Short Sellers Run for Cover From Major Biotechs

The short interest data are out for the June 15 settlement date. Biotech companies are considered a riskier group of stocks, with big potential upside and big potential downside. After all, a cure or incredible new breakthrough in cancer or Alzheimer’s disease will be worth more than any risks from Brexit or political rhetoric from the campaign trail.

FDA rulings can make or break the biotech sector, 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 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous report, and short interest moves decreased in these selected biotech stocks.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest fall slightly to 7.20 million shares from the previous level of 7.31 million. Shares closed most recently at $146.45, in a 52-week trading range of $130.09 to $181.81.

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Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) had its short interest slightly decrease to 2.20 million shares from the previous level of 2.44 million. The stock closed Friday at $229.02, within a 52-week range of $229.00 to $412.24.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased slightly to 8.40 million shares from the previous 8.93 million. Shares closed most recently at $96.29, in a 52-week range of $92.98 to $140.72.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest decrease to 24.70 million shares from 26.23 million in the previous period. Shares closed Friday at $80.47, in a 52-week trading range of $80.22 to $120.37.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest decrease to 81.40 million shares. The previous reading was 86.48 million. Shares closed most recently at $1.25, in a 52-week trading range of $0.64 to $5.80. With MannKind’s story having largely faded, it is important to realize that this short interest is down by one-third from the end of 2015.

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Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 4.75 million, compared to the previous level of 5.15 million. Shares closed most recently at $112.99, in a 52-week range of $110.56 to $208.88.