Are Semiconductor Short Sellers Signaling the Rally Is Over?

The October 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest in most of these selected semiconductor stocks increased.

Published November 12, 2019, 9:45am ET · 2 min read

A glowing blue graphic illustration of a square microchip, detailed with an array of light blue circular pins and a complex internal circuit pattern, positioned centrally on a bright blue circuit board with illuminated white traces and circular contact points. The image evokes a futuristic and technological mood.
A microchip on a circuit board symbolizes the custom AI silicon at the core of the competition between Broadcom and Marvell, representing the technological advancements driving the semiconductor industry. © Thinkstock

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 October 31 short interest data have been compared with the previous report. Short interest in most of these selected semiconductor stocks increased.

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC | INTC Price Prediction) saw its short interest grow to 56.71 million shares. The previous level was 55.55 million. Its shares were trading at $58.35 Tuesday morning, in a 52-week range of $42.86 to $59.59.

The number of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) shares short increased to 143.25 million from the previous reading of 141.29 million. Shares recently traded at $36.31, in a 52-week range of $16.03 to $37.18.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) saw the number of its shares short drop to 18.12 million from the 19.60 million reported in the previous period. Shares were changing hands at $91.84, in a 52-week trading range of $49.10 to $94.11.

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Short interest in Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) increased to 18.56 million shares. The previous reading was 17.62 million. Shares traded at $56.59, in a 52-week range of $28.79 to $57.29.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) saw its short interest rise to 34.75 million shares from the previous reading of 33.47 million. Shares were trading at $46.26, in a 52-week range of $28.39 to $51.39.

And the short interest in Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) decreased ever so slightly to 5.72 million shares from the previous 5.79 million. Shares were last seen at $312.75, in a 52-week range of $217.61 to $323.20.

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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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