Short Sellers Increasing Bets in Semiconductors

On the broad scope, short sellers appear to be piling on these semiconductor stocks, as most of this sample has seen its short interest levels increase. The July 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest increase to 140.29 million shares. The previous level was 138.42 million. Shares closed Friday at $28.06, in a 52-week trading range of $28.06 to $37.90.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) had its short interest increase to 153.21million shares. The previous level was 117.71 million. The current level is easily the highest level in 2015. Shares of AMD closed Friday at $1.67, in a 52-week trading range of $1.65 to $4.32.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw its short interest decrease to 47.49 million, compared to the previous period, in which 57.31 million shares were reported short. The past few readings are the highest within the past 52 weeks. Qualcomm shares closed Friday at $61.64, in a 52-week trading range of $60.83 to $78.53.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) saw its short interest for the July 15 settlement date increased to 20.01 million shares. The previous reading was 18.53 million, the second lowest level of the year. The highest reading year to date was 82.90 million in late February. Shares closed Friday at $17.37, in a 52-week range of $17.21 to $25.71.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest rise slightly to 61.06 million shares from the previous reading of 60.85 million. Short interest is currently at its second lowest level of the year. Shares of Micron closed Friday at $18.34, in a 52-week range of $17.14 to $36.59.

SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) was another of the chip stocks that had its short interest increase in July. The most recent reading was 17.28 million shares, compared to the previous reading of 15.06 million. Shares closed Friday at $61.84, in a 52-week trading range of $53.18 to $106.64.

Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) saw its short interest increase to 8.75 million shares, versus the previous short interest level of 8.36 million. Note that Broadcom has only just entered into an agreement with Avago to be purchased for $37 billion. Shares closed Friday at $51.53, in a 52-week range of $34.50 to $57.70.

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