Technology

Cybersecurity Stocks See Increase in Short Interest Bets

Chris Lange

Published: March 27, 2017 10:55 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 1:35 pm

Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important issue that companies have to address as they continue to develop new platforms and mobile apps. Hackers have been able to steal credit card and personal information from major companies like JPMorgan and Home Depot. As a result, cybersecurity has become more necessary, and instead of developing a dedicated department within a company, most opt to hire a third-party cybersecurity firm.

What is interesting here is that many investors think cybersecurity is the next area in technology that needs real consolidation.

The March 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest in most of the selected cybersecurity stocks increased.

FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest increase to 28.11 million shares from the previous reading of 26.79 million. Shares were last seen at $12.24, in a 52-week trading range of $10.35 to $18.73.

The short interest at CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) increased slightly to 1.28 million shares from the previous level of 1.23. Shares were trading at $47.90, within a 52-week range of $37.00 to $59.28.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s (NASDAQ: CHKP) short interest remained relatively flat to 6.32 million shares compared with the previous reading of 6.31 million. Shares were trading at $102.58, in a 52-week range of $74.34 to $104.35.

The number of Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) shares short also stayed essentially flat at 7.21 million, compared with the previous level of 7.22 million. Shares were trading at $110.60, within a 52-week range of $110.07 to $165.69.

Fortinet Inc.’s (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest increased to 5.51 million shares from its previous reading of 4.40 million. Shares were trading at $36.01, in a 52-week trading range of $28.01 to $38.33.