Technology

Short Sellers Grow More Selective on Major Semiconductors

Chris Lange

Published: August 25, 2017 10:20 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 8:46 am

Semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand. In a wider sense, semiconductor and tech stocks are considered to be leading indicators for the markets in general. A strong rally in the tech sector has pushed many of these companies to new highs, and both the Dow and S&P have recently closed near all-time highs on the back of a series of strong earnings reports.

The August 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest moves were mixed in these selected semiconductor stocks.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest increase to 100.81 million shares. The previous level was 92.38 million. Shares were last seen trading at $34.85, in a 52-week trading range of $33.23 to $38.45.

The number of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares short decreased to 147.71 million from the previous level of 152.29 million. Shares recently traded at $12.45, in a 52-week range of $5.66 to $15.65. Note that, like Intel, AMD is one of the most shorted Nasdaq stocks.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw the number of its shares short fall to 19.16 million, compared to the 24.73 million reported in the previous period. Shares were changing hands at $52.65, in a 52-week range of $51.05 to $71.62.

Short interest in Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) increased to 13.40 million shares. The previous reading was 13.30 million. Shares were trading at $43.75, in a 52-week range of $27.56 to $47.86.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest increase to 54.74 million shares from the previous reading of 53.65 million. Shares were trading at $30.30, in a 52-week range of $16.14 to $32.96.

And the short interest in Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO) decreased to 2.89 million shares in the period, from the previous 3.33 million. Shares were last seen at $249.90, in a 52-week range of $158.75 to $259.36.