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The short interest data have come out for the September 15 settlement date. It is important to note that semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand. A strong rally in the tech sector largely pushed many of these companies to new highs, as the Dow and S&P have both hit new all-time highs. But currently markets are retreating, begging the question whether this tech rally is over. The short interest might suggest that it is.

The September 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest increased in these selected semiconductor stocks.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest increase to 75.47 million shares. The previous level was 66.39 million. Shares closed Monday at $36.65, in a 52-week trading range of $27.68 to $38.05.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) had a short interest increase to 80.60 million shares. The previous level was 70.78 million. Shares of AMD closed Monday at $6.32, in a 52-week range of $1.65 to $8.00.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw its short interest grow slightly to 21.43 million, compared to the previous period, in which 20.92 million shares were reported short. Qualcomm shares closed most recently at $62.31, in a 52-week range of $42.24 to $64.00.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) short interest grew to 14.62 million shares. The previous reading was 12.86 million. Shares closed Monday at $29.35, in a 52-week range of $14.33 to $31.07.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest increase to 77.14 million shares from the previous reading of 74.12 million. Shares closed Monday at $17.36, in a 52-week range of $9.31 to $19.30.

Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO), the result of the Avago-Broadcom merger, saw its short interest increase ever so slightly to 3.78 million shares from the previous level of 3.64 million. Shares closed most recently at $166.69, in a 52-week range of $111.53 to $179.42.