Health and Healthcare

Major Pharma Short Interest Faces Significant Drop

Chris Lange

Published: August 25, 2016 8:45 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 4:17 am

The short interest data have been released for the August 15 settlement date. Pharmaceutical companies usually are involved in a lengthy process in 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 is approved or passes a clinical trial, there can be big upside.

Drug prices may be under pressure due to the campaign rhetoric and under scrutiny, but if generic drugs are going to keep increasing in market share of existing drugs, then there would seem to be a reason for owning major pharmaceuticals.

The August 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and for most of the selected pharmaceutical stocks, short interest has significantly decreased.

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.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) saw its short interest decrease to 39.63 million shares from the previous 47.81 million. Shares of Pfizer closed Wednesday at $34.82, within a 52-week trading range of $28.25 to $37.39.

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) had a rise in short interest to 31.29 million shares, from 28.37 million in the previous period. Its shares closed Wednesday at $62.73, in a 52-week range of $47.97 to $64.00.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) short interest decreased to 13.80 million shares. The previous level was 20.81 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $51.63, in a 52-week range of $48.01 to $66.55.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) saw its short interest decrease to 9.65 million shares from the previous reading of 14.06 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $58.59, within a 52-week range of $56.32 to $77.12.

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) short interest fell to 48.00 million shares, compared to the previous 50.88 million. Shares of AbbVie closed Wednesday at $65.06, in a 52-week trading range of $45.45 to $68.12.