Media

Short Sellers Raise the Stakes in Social Media Stocks

Chris Lange

Published: February 10, 2017 11:15 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 2:57 pm

Social media has taken the world by storm, building virtual communities for anyone who has internet access and allowing people to connect and share across the globe. Many of these sites have changed the world in terms of how we meet people, read the news, get jobs and even date. These companies are on the cutting edge of social trends and are a good beacon to look toward for change.

Facebook and Twitter are the main names in this group with one hitting all-time highs while the other is hitting all-time lows. Despite being the preferred communication channel for the new U.S. Commander in Chief, Twitter has still not been able to monetize its platform, which has investors growing ever more concerned. On the other hand, Facebook has been steadily expanding and is taking a sizable piece of the online advertising pie.

The January 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest moves in most of these selected social media stocks increased for this settlement date.

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) had a short interest decline to 19.14 million shares from the previous 21.15 million. Shares were last seen at $133.83, within a 52-week trading range of $100.24 to $133.49.

The number of Twitter Inc. (NYSE: TWTR) shares short increased to 46.75 million from the previous level of 44.04 million. Shares recently closed at $15.74, in a 52-week range of $13.73 to $25.25.

In the period, Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MTCH) saw its short interest increase to 12.38 million shares from the 10.68 million in the previous period. Shares last closed at $17.95, in a 52-week range of $9.44 to $19.74.

Short interest in Yelp Inc. (NYSE: YELP) increased to 6.08 million shares. The previous reading was 5.86 million. Shares closed at $37.12, in a 52-week range of $15.27 to $43.41.