Major Biotechs See More Targeted Short Sellers

The May 15 short interest data has been compared with the previous report, and short interest moves in these selected biotech stocks was mixed.

Published May 28, 2020, 9:37am ET · 2 min read

A gloved hand holds a luminous test tube containing a green leaf, surrounded by glowing hexagonal chemical structures and scientific symbols against a dark, gradient background fading from blue to green. The scene evokes scientific research and innovation.
Scientific research and pharmaceutical innovation, like those at Eli Lilly, are critical drivers of future growth. Advances in biotechnology are poised to unlock significant market value. © SergeyNivens / Getty Images

The short interest data are out for the most recent settlement date, May 15. Generally speaking, companies within the biotech industry are considered a riskier group of stocks, with big potential upside and big potential downside.

As we have said before, FDA rulings can make or break the biotech stocks, and short sellers and mega-bulls often go to war against each other in these companies. After all, if a single failed clinical trial can mean disaster for a stock, then some short sellers can argue for a stock implosion down the road.

24/7 Wall St. has reviewed the top biotech companies, without focusing on speculative companies. The May 15 short interest data has been compared with the previous report, and short interest moves in these selected biotech stocks was mixed.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ALXN) short interest fell to 4.75 million shares from the previous 4.84 million. Shares were trading at $106.14, in a 52-week range of $72.67 to $134.84.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN | AMGN Price Prediction) saw its short interest decrease to 7.01 million shares from the previous level of 7.88 million. Shares were recently trading at $224.81, in a 52-week range of $166.68 to $244.99.

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Short interest in Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) rose to 4.48 million shares from the previous 4.17 million. The stock traded at $301.46, within a 52-week range of $215.78 to $374.99.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) saw its short interest rise to 26.09 million shares from 24.11 million in the previous period. Shares were trading at $74.90, in a 52-week range of $60.89 to $85.97.

The number of MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) shares short decreased slightly to 33.21 million. The previous reading was 33.29 million. The stock traded at $1.52 a share, in a 52-week range of $0.80 to $1.88.

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Chris Lange

Chris Lange is a financial and geopolitical writer with more than a decade of experience covering a myriad of topics. He has published thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St., with past coverage focused heavily on stocks, IPOs, healthcare, defense, global affairs, and technology.

His work has been quoted, or referenced by a number of outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, The Motley Fool, and many other publications. A graduate of Southwestern University, he studied business with a focus on investments and has previous experience in banking and startups.

When not reading or writing the news, he is following his passion for Lacrosse, playing chess, or building solar projects with his dad.

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