Short Sellers Hike Bets in Cybersecurity Stocks

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By Chris Lange Updated Published
Short Sellers Hike Bets in Cybersecurity Stocks

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Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important issue that companies have to address as they continue to develop new platforms and mobile apps. Hackers have been able to steal credit card and personal information from major companies like Equifax, JPMorgan and Home Depot. As a result, cybersecurity has become more necessary, and instead of developing a dedicated department within a company, most opt to hire a third-party cybersecurity firm.

What is interesting here is that many investors think cybersecurity is the next area in technology that needs real consolidation.

The January 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest in most of these selected cybersecurity stocks increased.

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FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) saw its short interest rise to 17.02 million shares from the previous reading of 16.39 million. Shares were last seen trading at $16.91, in a 52-week range of $13.60 to $20.61.

Short interest at CyberArk Software Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYBR) increased to 595,200 shares from the previous level of 339,400. Shares were trading at $78.58, within a 52-week range of $40.63 to $84.21.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s (NASDAQ: CHKP | CHKP Price Prediction) short interest increased to 8.42 million shares from the previous 7.24 million. Shares were trading at $107.82, in a 52-week range of $93.76 to $120.81.

The number of Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) shares short was 5.22 million. The previous level was 5.34 million. Shares traded at $196.00, within a 52-week range of $148.41 to $239.50.

Fortinet Inc.’s (NASDAQ: FTNT) short interest decreased to 10.56 million shares from the previous 10.65 million. Shares were trading at $73.21. The 52-week range is $43.55 to $94.37.

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Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics. Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications. A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

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