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The short interest data have come out for the November 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.

The November 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest decreased for the most part in these selected semiconductor stocks.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest decrease to 75.56 million shares. The previous level was 80.38 million. Shares closed Friday at $35.44, in a 52-week trading range of $27.68 to $38.36.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) had a short interest increase to 90.83 million shares from the previous level of 89.47 million. Shares closed Friday at $8.77, in a 52-week range of $1.75 to $9.22. Note that like Intel and Micron, AMD is one of the most shorted Nasdaq stocks.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw the number of its shares interest drop to 21.82 million, compared to the previous period, in which 24.87 million shares were reported short. Shares closed most recently at $68.29, in a 52-week range of $42.24 to $71.62.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) short interest rose slightly to 15.21 million shares. The previous reading was 15.17 million. Shares closed Friday at $31.88, in a 52-week range of $15.44 to $31.97.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest drop to 58.37 million shares from the previous reading of 58.63 million. Shares closed Friday at $20.13, in a 52-week range of $9.31 to $20.44.

Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO) short interest fell to 3.97 million shares in the period, from the previous of 4.43 million. Shares closed most recently at $176.75, in a 52-week range of $114.25 to $179.42.