Technology

Short Sellers Can't Make Up Their Minds on Cybersecurity Stocks

Chris Lange

Published: May 25, 2017 10:20 am

Last Updated: March 13, 2020 6:10 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 May 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest moves in the selected cybersecurity stocks were mixed.

FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest decrease to 32.09 million shares from the previous reading of 33.40 million. Shares were last seen at $15.17, in a 52-week trading range of $10.35 to $18.42.

The short interest at CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) increased to 2.08 million shares from the previous level of 1.98 million. Shares were trading at $49.36, within a 52-week range of $42.73 to $59.28.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s (NASDAQ: CHKP) short interest barely increased to 5.19 million shares from with the previous reading of 5.18 million. Shares were trading at $110.54, in a 52-week range of $74.34 to $111.24.

The number of Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) shares short was not updated this period. The previous level was 7.82 million. Shares were trading at $118.32, within a 52-week range of $107.31 to $165.69.

Fortinet Inc.’s (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest decreased slightly to 5.62 million shares from its previous reading of 5.64 million. Shares were trading at $40.05, in a 52-week trading range of $28.51 to $41.33.