Short Sellers Run for Cover From Major Biotechs

Health and Healthcare

Published: February 12, 2019 9:55 am

Last Updated: March 13, 2020 6:21 pm

The short interest data are out for the most recent settlement date, January 31. Generally speaking, companies within the biotech industry are considered to be 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 January 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous report, and short interest in most of the selected biotech stocks decreased.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest drop to 9.87 million shares from the previous level of 10.18 million. Shares were last seen trading at $185.79, in a 52-week range of $163.31 to $210.19.

Short interest in Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) decreased to 2.85 million shares from the previous 3.59 million. The stock recently traded at $316.87, within a 52-week range of $249.17 to $388.67.

Celgene Corp.’s (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date decreased to 15.17 million shares from the previous level of 16.14 million. Shares were changing hands at $89.87, in a 52-week trading range of $58.59 to $97.43.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest decrease to 11.55 million shares from 13.43 billion in the previous period. Shares were trading at $67.62 in a 52-week range of $60.32 to $82.72.

The number of MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) shares short increased to 38.81 million. The previous reading was 38.53 million. The stock was last seen at $1.33 a share, in a 52-week range of $0.94 to $3.41.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest increased to 4.32 million shares from the previous 3.67 million. Shares were trading at $120.05, in a 52-week range of $92.56 to $140.77.