Health and Healthcare

Which Major Pharma Stocks Short Sellers Are Keen On

Chris Lange

Published: March 27, 2018 8:45 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 2:02 am

Pharmaceutical companies usually are involved in a lengthy process of getting their drug candidates to market through clinical trials. There is a fair amount of risk involved, should a study come back negative or a candidate not be approved. Conversely, if a drug gains FDA approval or passes a clinical trial, there can be big upside.

The White House has promised reforms in the health care sector, such as changing the bidding process for drugs and shortening the FDA approval process. It has yet to be seen how much headway they can actually make with these reforms.

Keep in mind that short sellers betting against big pharma are taking on an added risk. They have to pay out the ongoing high dividends on top of the cost of borrowing the shares.

The March 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest moves in these selected pharmaceutical stocks were mixed.

Short interest in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) increased to 142.88 million shares from the previous 61.83 million. Its shares were last seen trading at $35.04, within a 52-week range of $31.67 to $39.43.

The number of Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) shares short increased to 22.19 million from 21.57 million in the previous period. Its shares were trading at $54.04, in a 52-week range of $52.97 to $66.41.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.’s (NYSE: TEVA) short interest decreased to 65.32 million from the previous level of 65.99 million. Shares were trading at $16.87, in a 52-week range of $10.85 to $33.82.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) short interest decreased to 13.48 million shares from the previous reading of 13.74 million. Shares were trading at $63.40, within a 52-week range of $51.56 to $70.05.

The number of shares short in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) decreased to 15.90 million, compared to the previous 16.61 million. The stock was trading at $95.28, in a 52-week range of $63.12 to $125.86.

Eli Lilly and Co.’s (NYSE: LLY) short interest increased to 14.33 million shares from the previous 12.05 million. The stock was trading at $76.18. The 52-week range is $73.69 to $89.09.

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