Highest, Lowest Short Interest as a Percent of Float

Ever since shorting a stock became easier with the elimination of the uptick rule back in July 2007, market volatility has picked up. Investors and traders can now send shares down much easier by continuing to add onto the short as the stock moves lower.

Below we highlight stocks in the Russell 1,000 that currently have the highest and lowest short interest as a percentage of equity float.

During the rally earlier this month, stocks with the highest short interest were the ones that went up the most. In yesterday's rally, however, the stocks with the lowest short interest went up the most.

In each of the tables, we also provide each stock's year to date performance. Some investors may be interested in stocks with high short interest that are also up significantly this year because it means shorts will eventually have to cover. Investors may also be interested in stocks with very low short interest that have poor fundamentals in order to get short before everyone else does.

As shown, NTRI is the most heavily shorted stock in the Russell 1,000, with nearly 79% of its shares sold short. The stock is down 11% this year, but if this company has better than expected news, the stock should have an out-sized rally as shorts scramble to cover. IMB, ABK, VMW, JOE and SHLD follow NTRI on the most heavily shorted list.

click to enlarge

Comments

[robert99:]

Holy crap that's a lot of short interest on NTRI...

2008 Feb 14 10:25 AM