Most and least shorted mid-to mega-cap healthcare stocks in February

The healthcare sector is facing aggressive short selling, particularly targeting high-growth disruptors while avoiding major pharmaceutical companies. As of late February, short interest in volatile areas like telehealth and biotech has reached record highs.

Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) leads the bearish list with a 36.90% short interest, the telehealth leader is facing intense skepticism regarding its long-term margins and the sustainability of its compounded GLP-1 offerings. At the same time, Acadia Healthcare (ACHC) is the second-most shorted stock in the sector at 35.19%.

In contrast, some healthcare giants like Eli Lilly (LLY) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) have very low short interest at 0.71% and 0.86%, respectively. They are joined by industry leaders Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO), Medline (MDLN), and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), all of which maintain short interest levels well below 1%, because they are considered much safer bets during uncertain times.

Healthcare stocks are outperforming the broader market so far this year. While the S&P 500 has struggled with a 0.42% decline year-to-date, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR® Fund (XLV)—which represents 12.12% of the benchmark index—has climbed 1.25%.

Here are the top 5 most shorted mid- to mega-cap healthcare stocks (as a % of shares outstanding) as of February 28:

Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) – Health Care Services sector, short interest 36.90%

Acadia Healthcare Company (ACHC) – Health Care Facilities sector, short interest 35.19%

TransMedics Group (TMDX) – Health Care Equipment sector, short interest 23.98%

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) – Biotechnology sector, short interest 23.59%

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) – Biotechnology sector, short interest 22.64%

And here are the least shorted mid- to mega-cap healthcare stocks (as a % of shares outstanding) as of February 28:

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) – Pharmaceuticals sector, short interest 0.71%

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – Pharmaceuticals sector, short interest 0.86%

Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO) – Health Care Supplies sector, short interest 0.89%

Medline (MDLN) – Health Care Supplies sector, short interest 0.90%

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) – Life Sciences Tools and Services sector, short interest 0.96%

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