Energy

Short Sellers Become More Selective on Major Oil

Chris Lange

Published: November 11, 2015 8:55 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 5:18 pm

The short interest data have been released for the October 30 settlement date. It just so happens that some of the latest short interest readings for major oil companies are backing off highs, while others are pushing on new highs.

The October 30 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest for the selected stocks was mixed.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) saw its short interest decrease to 23.64 million shares from the previous reading of 31.45 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $93.23, in a 52-week trading range of $69.58 to $118.91.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) saw its short interest fall to 49.95 million shares from the previous level of 65.16 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $82.35, within a 52-week trading range of $66.55 to $97.20.

BP PLC’s (NYSE: BP) short interest increased to 6.82 million shares from its previous reading of 6.50 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $34.77, in a 52-week trading range of $29.35 to $43.85.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) saw the number of its shares short decrease to 30.90 million from the previous 36.36 million. Note that the most recent short interest readings back to December are at an elevated level, compared to previous periods. Shares closed Tuesday at $54.65, within a 52-week trading range of $41.10 to $74.68.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, saw its short interest jump to 165.51 million shares from its previous reading of 150.86 million. Shares closed Tuesday at $4.93, in a 52-week trading range of $3.72 to $11.13. Unfortunately, Petrobras may be trading on an entirely different set of fundamentals and sentiment due to its woes in Brazil.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) short interest decreased to 14.35 million shares from the previous reading of 17.29 million. Shares closed most recently at $76.26, in a 52-week trading range of $63.60 to $85.54.

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