Our technical scanner runs daily across the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, measuring a broad range of momentum, trend and oscillator indicators to surface potential trading opportunities. Today, 18 August 2026, we turn to the bearish side of the ledger — stocks accumulating the highest number of technical sell signals. These are short candidates: names where the weight of technical evidence suggests downward price pressure may be building.
Important risk warning: Short selling is significantly more risky than buying equities. Losses on a short position are theoretically unlimited, margin requirements add further complexity, and stocks can be subject to short squeezes. The signals below are purely technical in nature and should never be acted upon without your own thorough due diligence and appropriate risk management.
1. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) – 6 technical sell signals
Price: Data currently unavailable.
View the full technical analysis of Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway sits at the top of today’s bearish screen with six technical sell signals and zero bull signals — a notably one-sided reading. From a purely technical standpoint, the weight of evidence points to deteriorating price momentum, which warrants attention from traders regardless of the company’s fundamental standing.
On the news front, the transition from Warren Buffett to Greg Abel continues to generate mixed sentiment. Morningstar recently suggested that Berkshire’s long-established investment edge may be harder to replicate under new leadership, a view that could weigh on investor confidence over the medium term. Abel’s team did break a lengthy net-selling streak by acquiring a substantial position in Alphabet, signalling a willingness to embrace large-cap technology — a meaningful strategic shift for a conglomerate historically cautious about the sector.
Additionally, Berkshire has resumed buybacks after years of accumulating a near-$400 billion cash pile, a move that has not been universally welcomed. Analysts have flagged that the stock has underperformed since Buffett’s retirement, and while some technicians had been watching for a potential breakout above $520 ahead of Q2 earnings, the current technical picture appears to tell a more cautious story.
2. Monster Beverage (MNST) – 6 technical sell signals
Price: $45.52 (-2.78% on the day)
View the full technical analysis of Monster Beverage
Monster Beverage matches Berkshire on bear signals with six, though it also carries seven bull signals — making this a more contested technical picture. The notable intraday decline of nearly 2.8% nonetheless reinforces the near-term selling pressure flagged by the scanner, and traders should weigh both sides of the technical argument carefully before establishing any position.
From a fundamental news perspective, Monster has enjoyed a strong multi-year run that has prompted repeated valuation questions. Analysts at Morgan Stanley were tracking the stock’s summer advance toward record highs, while Simply Wall St noted heading into Q2 2026 earnings that the valuation already looked stretched by some measures. For short-side traders, an elevated entry valuation can amplify downside risk if sentiment shifts.
The company’s Q1 2026 results were broadly in line with expectations, and Monster has been actively expanding its product lineup with initiatives such as the FLRT launch and an Ultra Momentum range. While these moves demonstrate commercial energy, they also reflect a competitive energy-drinks market where growth must continually be justified against a demanding price tag. The current technical deterioration, combined with valuation scrutiny, makes this a name worth monitoring closely.
3. Amgen (AMGN) – 5 technical sell signals
Price: Data currently unavailable.
View the full technical analysis of Amgen
Amgen registers five technical sell signals against zero bull signals, placing it firmly in the bearish column for today’s scan. It is worth noting that Amgen has been one of the stronger performers in the large-cap biotech space, having nearly doubled investor capital over five years, which means any short position here runs against a stock with demonstrated long-term upward momentum.
Recent fundamental developments have been broadly positive. Amgen’s Q2 2026 results beat both earnings and revenue estimates by meaningful margins, and a favourable court ruling earlier this year — blocking a state-level price cap on one of its key products — provided a significant legal tailwind. The company also recently opened a new Science and Innovation Centre in Hyderabad, underscoring its commitment to expanding its global research footprint.
Despite this encouraging backdrop, some analysts have highlighted that Amgen may be meaningfully undervalued even after its strong run, suggesting the technical weakness may be temporary rather than structural. Prospective short sellers should be particularly cautious here: the combination of earnings momentum, a favourable legal environment and analyst commentary pointing to potential undervaluation creates a challenging backdrop for a bearish trade, and the risk of a sharp reversal is elevated.
4. Colgate-Palmolive (CL) – 5 technical sell signals
Price: Data currently unavailable.
View the full technical analysis of Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive appears on the bearish scan with five sell signals and no offsetting bull signals. As a classic consumer staples name and long-standing Dividend King, CL is often regarded as a defensive holding — which adds an important layer of risk for any short seller, since defensive stocks can attract buying interest precisely when broader market conditions deteriorate.
News flow around Colgate has been relatively steady and constructive. The company is progressing with a 2030 strategic plan centred on premiumisation, shifting its product mix toward higher-margin offerings. Analysts have noted that while the stock can appear unremarkable on a day-to-day basis, its consistent cash flow generation and dividend history give it a resilience that less established names lack. Recent commentary has described CL as potentially undervalued relative to its cash flow profile.
For traders considering a short position, Colgate’s defensive characteristics are a genuine headwind. The stock tends to attract income-focused investors who are relatively insensitive to short-term price moves, and its reliable dividend provides a carrying cost for anyone holding a short. The technical signals deserve respect, but the fundamental and income case for the stock makes this one of the higher-risk entries on today’s list.
5. F5, Inc. (FFIV) – 5 technical sell signals
Price: Data currently unavailable.
View the full technical analysis of F5, Inc.
F5, Inc. rounds out today’s list with five technical sell signals against a single bull signal. The Seattle-based multicloud application security and delivery specialist has attracted growing analyst interest as an AI-adjacent infrastructure play, which means any short position must contend with potentially strong institutional buying if sentiment around AI infrastructure names remains elevated.
F5 has been actively positioning itself within the artificial intelligence theme, expanding its VELOS product line to handle AI workloads and investing in AI-driven network performance and security capabilities. This strategic pivot has placed the company on numerous analyst watchlists, and both Barchart and Insider Monkey have featured it in AI-focused stock roundups, reflecting genuine buy-side interest in the name.
However, Barchart also flagged in June 2026 that FFIV appeared to be underperforming its broader technology-sector peers — a relative weakness that could be consistent with the technical sell signals emerging today. For traders, the juxtaposition of thematic tailwinds and relative sector underperformance creates an ambiguous picture. The single bull signal among the five bear signals suggests the technical case is not entirely one-sided, and position sizing should reflect that uncertainty.
Disclaimer: This article is produced for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Technical analysis identifies patterns in historical price data and cannot guarantee future performance. Short selling involves substantial risk, including the theoretical possibility of unlimited losses. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions, and ensure any trading activity is consistent with your personal risk tolerance and financial circumstances. The Wall Street Stock Investors Club and its contributors may hold positions in securities mentioned.