Technology

Short Sellers Can't Make Up Their Minds on Semiconductors

Chris Lange

Published: October 11, 2017 11:25 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 7:17 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.

The September 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 decrease to 116.01 million shares. The previous level was 118.31 million. Shares were last seen trading at $39.12, in a 52-week trading range of $33.23 to $39.95.

The number of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares short increased to 160.54 million from the previous level of 158.11 million. Shares recently traded at $13.74, in a 52-week range of $6.22 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 drop to 21.58 million, compared to the 22.09 million reported in the previous period. Shares were changing hands at $54.16, in a 52-week range of $48.92 to $71.62.

Short interest in Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) increased to 14.62 million shares. The previous reading was 14.39 million. Shares were trading at $52.88, in a 52-week range of $27.56 to $53.07.

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Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest increase to 55.33 million shares from the previous reading of 50.97 million. Shares were trading at $41.34, in a 52-week range of $16.17 to $42.00.

And the short interest in Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO) decreased to 3.81 million shares in the period, from the previous 3.95 million. Shares were last seen at $246.88, in a 52-week range of $160.62 to $259.36.