Technology

What Does Falling Short Interest Mean for the Semiconductor Industry?

The short interest data have come out for the November 28 settlement date. Semiconductor stocks took a hit during the market sell-off in mid-October, but recent short interest data show that investors seemed to be growing marginally more optimistic on this sector as a whole, as short interest is dropping for the most part. It is important to note that semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) saw its short interest fall to 143.3 million shares, with 12 days to cover, from the previous level of 144.7 million. The average daily volume during this time was 11.5 million. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices opened Wednesday down 1% at $2.56, in a 52-week trading range of $2.49 to $4.80.

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) saw its short interest fall to 71.6 million shares, with 6.63 days to cover. The previous reading was 73.5 million with 6.59 days. Shares of Applied Materials opened Wednesday down less than 1% at $24.35, in a 52-week trading range of $16.40 to $25.25.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest fall to 164.8 million shares, with 5.04 days to cover. The previous reading was 181.5 million with 6.75 days to cover. Short interest has been steadily receding from the relative high of 204 million shares that occurred at the end of October. Shares of Intel opened Wednesday up less than 1% at $36.96, in a 52-week trading range of $23.50 to $37.90.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) had short interest drop to 91 million shares, with 5.23 days to cover, from the previous 94.5 million with 5.56 days to cover. Micron has pushed lower lows on the year for the past couple of readings, with the current reading being the lowest short interest in the 52-week range. Shares of Micron opened Wednesday down less than 1% at $35.59, in a 52-week trading range of $20.64 to $36.59.

SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) saw its short interest barely increase to 15.3 million, with 5.69 days to cover. The previous level was 15.1 million, with 5.88 days to cover. Investors appear optimistic as short interest has been holding near its 52-week low for the past five readings. Shares of SanDisk opened Wednesday down less than 1% at $104.55, in a 52-week trading range of $64.50 to $108.77.

ALSO READ: Are Investors Signaling Optimism in Biotechs Through Short Interest?

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