These Gainers Have Elevated Short Interest

Among Tuesday's biggest gainers, there are a few with elevated short interest.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. VNDA

The biopharmaceutical company focused on developing products for the treatment of the central nervous system sports a short interest equal to 34.7 percent of its float (as of November 28).

The stock was up more than 18 percent on the news that Vanda plans to acquire rights to a Phase II clinical compound from Novartis AG.

Novartis will gain the ownership of $25 million worth of Vanda common stock.

ZaZa Energy Corporation ZAZA

A significant short interest of 17.9 percent of the float as of late November isn't preventing this oil and gas company from posting exceptional gains in the past three trading sessions.

The stock is up nearly 20 percent in Tuesday's trading.

McDermott International MDR

The designer of complex offshore oil and gas projects had a short interest of 16.2 percent as of late last month.

In Tuesday's trading, the stock saw gains of 10 percent.

Energy XXI Ltd EXXI

The oil and exploration company has a short percentage of float near 20 percent, as of November 28.

Tuesday's trading saw Energy XXI gain more than 8 percent.