Technology

Is Semiconductor Short Interest Signaling Further Market Highs?

Chris Lange

Published: December 26, 2019 9:25 am

Last Updated: January 30, 2020 11:48 am

Semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand. In a wider sense, semiconductor and tech stocks are seen as leading indicators for the markets in general. A strong rally in the tech sector pushed many of these companies to new highs, but with the current state of affairs with China, semiconductors will be the deciding factor if markets want to continue hitting new record levels.

The December 13 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest in most of these selected semiconductor stocks decreased.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest shrink to 57.45 million shares. The previous level was 58.78 million. Its shares were trading at $59.41 Thursday morning, in a 52-week range of $42.86 to $59.78.

The number of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares short decreased to 98.38 million from the previous reading of 104.39 million. Shares recently traded at $46.54, in a 52-week range of $16.44 to $46.61.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw the number of its shares short rise to 18.73 million from the 15.92 million reported in the previous period. Shares were changing hands at $88.77, in a 52-week trading range of $49.10 to $94.11.

Short interest in Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) increased slightly to 19.65 million shares. The previous reading was 19.21 million. Shares traded at $61.50, in a 52-week range of $30.12 to $63.07.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest drop slightly to 29.99 million shares from the previous reading of 30.42 million. Shares were trading at $55.42, in a 52-week range of $30.23 to $56.11.

And the short interest in Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) decreased to 4.68 million shares from the previous 5.05 million. Shares were last seen at $320.50, in a 52-week range of $230.33 to $331.20.