Merck Short Base Rising

Merck & Co. Inc (MRK) the global research-driven pharmaceutical company has seen its short base (as measured by Percent Shares Outstanding on Loan) increase by 57% over the past month to 5.33%.

Pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) have lower short bases of 0.73% and 1.41% respectively. On the other hand two of the more popular shorts are Mylan Inc. (MYL) with a short base of 25.40% and Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRX) with 13.85%.

MYL is the third-largest manufacturer of prescription generic drugs in the world and has the largest short base in the S&P500. The average short base for the S&P500 is 3.85%.

The health care sector has a short base of 3.10% which is down on the 3.5% on the month.

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