The short interest data are out for the July 15 settlement date. Biotech companies are considered a riskier group of stocks, with big upside and big downside. FDA rulings can make or break them. A single failed clinical trial can mean disaster for a stock. 24/7 Wall St. has reviewed the top biotech companies, without focusing on speculative companies.

The July 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and overall, short interest in the selected stocks backed off for this settlement date.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest back off to 9.09 million shares from the previous level of 9.67 million shares. Shares closed Friday at $158.59, in a 52-week trading range of $121.66 to $173.60.

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) saw its short interest tick up only slightly to 2.60 million shares from the previous 2.59 million. The company was slowly approaching the lower part of its short interest range from back in November. Shares closed Friday at $300.03, within a 52-week trading range of $290.85 to $480.18.

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) short interest for this settlement date increased to 14.22 million shares compared to the previous reading 13.33 million. Since March, Celgene has recorded a few of its highest readings of the year, but now short sellers appear to be backing off. The mid-May level was the highest short interest reading on the year. Shares of Celgene closed Friday at $134.90, in a 52-week range of $83.16 to $140.72.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest fall to 20.61 million shares from 23.69 million in the previous period. This is currently the lowest reading on the year. Shares closed Friday at $112.83, in a 52-week trading range of $85.95 to $123.37.

MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) saw its short interest decrease to 112.85 million shares. The previous reading was 115.08 million shares. Shares closed Friday at $4.98, in a 52-week trading range of $3.46 to $10.08.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest decreased to 6.29 million, from the previous level of 6.93 million. The mid-June level is far and away the highest reading on the year, followed by the previous reading. Shares closed Friday at $200.99, in a 52-week range of $150.06 to $208.88.

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