Technology

Short Sellers Can't Make Up Their Minds on Major Semiconductors

Chris Lange

Published: August 10, 2016 9:20 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 4:44 am

The short interest data have come out for the July 29 settlement date. It is important to note that semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand. A strong rally in the tech sector has largely pushed many of these companies to new highs as the Dow and S&P have both hit new all-time highs.

The July 29 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest was mixed in these selected semiconductor stocks.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest decline to 66.33 million shares. The previous level was 71.99 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $34.92, in a 52-week trading range of $24.87 to $35.93.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) had a short interest increase to 75.38 million shares. The previous level was 71.45 million. Shares of AMD closed Tuesday at $6.60, in a 52-week range of $1.65 to $7.16.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw its short interest grow to 21.22 million, compared to the previous period, in which 18.09 million shares were reported short. Qualcomm shares closed Tuesday at $61.99, in a 52-week range of $42.24 to $63.06.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) short interest shrank to 12.63 million shares. The previous reading was 14.90 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $26.79, in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $27.11.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest increase to 71.34 million shares from the previous reading of 69.38 million. Shares of Micron closed Tuesday at $14.48, in a 52-week range of $9.31 to $19.30.

Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO), the result of the Avago-Broadcom merger, saw its short interest decrease to 3.38 million shares from the previous level of 3.78 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $171.17, in a 52-week range of $100.00 to $172.16.