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 retailers like Home Depot and Target. 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.

The August 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest moves for the selected cybersecurity stocks were mixed. What is interesting here is that many investors think cybersecurity is the next area that needs real consolidation in technology. That would mean mergers.

FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest increase to 22.44 million shares from the previous reading of 20.38 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $14.94, in a 52-week trading range of $11.35 to $40.01.

CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) had its short interest fall to 1.92 million shares from the previous level of 2.22 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $54.57, within a 52-week range of $31.50 to $57.57.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) short interest decreased to 9.95 million shares from the previous reading of 10.56 million. Shares closed most recently at $76.05, in a 52-week range of $71.64 to $89.98.

Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) saw the number of its shares short increase to 6.66 million from the previous level of 6.31 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $140.37, within a 52-week range of $111.09 to $194.73.

Fortinet Inc. (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest increased to 4.57 million shares from its previous reading of 4.23 million. Shares closed Wednesday at $35.41, in a 52-week trading range of $23.16 to $46.50.

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