Short interest data for the August 15 settlement date has come out. The semiconductor industry is considered to be an economic driver of growth because it is a technology enabler for many other industries. Although the semiconductor industry behaves in a cyclical pattern over the years, it still experiences an above-average market volatility, which encourages higher returns but greater losses for short interest investors.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) saw its short interest fall to 139.9 million shares, with 4.8 days to cover, from $153 million in the previous period. Shares opened Wednesday at $4.19, which falls within a 52-week range of $3.04 to $4.80.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) posted a fall in short interest to 72.7 million shares from the previous level of 75.8 million. The days to cover rose to more than six. The stock has been trading up closer to its 52-week high of $23.46. The 52-week low is $14.85.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) marked its fourth consecutive fall in short interest for the August 15 settlement date. The 125.6 million shares short was down from the previous level of 135.3 million, and back in June short interest was as high as 182.8 million. Intel has made huge gains propelling shares from a low of $27.12 in June to its 52-week high of $35.20 in August. It would appear that investors increasingly are deciding not to bet against Intel.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest fall to 105 million shares, with 4.23 days to cover, from a July 31 reading at 125 million. Micron has retreated from its recent 52-week high of $34.85, but it is still well above the 52-week low of $13.05.

SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) recorded a fall in its short interest to 16.2 million shares in mid-August from the previous level of 17.9 million. The days to cover rose to almost six. The share price has lingered near the top of its 52-week range, having closed Tuesday at $98.54. SanDisk has made significant gains on the past 52-weeks, coming from a low of $53.80 to as high as $108.77.

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