Is Semiconductor Short Interest Signaling More Market Highs?

September 25, 2019 by Chris Lange

Semiconductor trends are considered to be leading indicators of technology and broader electronics demand. In a wider sense, semiconductor and tech stocks are seen as leading indicators for the markets in general. A strong rally in the tech sector pushed many of these companies to new highs, but with the current state of affairs with China, semiconductors will have to rally again if markets want to continue hitting new record levels.

The September 13 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest in most of these selected semiconductor stocks decreased.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) saw its short interest decrease to 48.18 million shares. The previous level was 53.36 million. Its shares were trading at $49.82 Wednesday morning, in a 52-week range of $42.36 to $59.59.

The number of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares short shrank to 126.17 million from the previous reading of 130.48 million. Shares recently traded at $29.52, in a 52-week range of $16.03 to $35.55.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw the number of its shares short drop to 19.67 million from the 25.32 million reported in the previous period. Shares were changing hands at $75.23, in a 52-week trading range of $49.10 to $90.34.

Short interest in Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) increased to 18.26 million shares. The previous reading was 16.85 million. Shares traded at $51.16, in a 52-week range of $28.79 to $52.62.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest fall to 32.38 million shares from the previous reading of 33.51 million. Shares were trading at $48.51, in a 52-week range of $28.39 to $51.39.

And the short interest in Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) decreased to 4.77 million shares from the previous 5.13 million. Shares were last seen at $282.31, in a 52-week range of $208.23 to $323.20.