Gaylord, Ralph Lauren: Increased Short Interest in U.S Retail

According to our data, short investors have significantly increased their positions in Gaylord (GET) and Polo Ralph Lauren (RL). The percentage of the Market Cap on Loan (%MCOL) of Gaylord has risen from 9% to 14% since January 21st, and from 11% since February 18th (please click to enlarge graph).

Ralph's %MCOL has risen from 4.5% to 6.5% since January 21st and from 2.7% since November 22nd (please click to enlarge graph).

On 22nd January, there were 1m shares traded in Gaylord, approximately double the usual amount for the company's one year average. At the same time 3m shares were traded in Ralph, almost double the amount for its one year average too.

Both companies are consumer driven. Gaylord, a hospitality and entertainment company who boast the Radisson Hotel Orpyland among their brands, is a member of the North America Consumer Services Sector. Ralph is a member of the North America Consumer Durables and Apparel Sector. Both companies have considerably higher Utilisation levels than the rest of their sector and their market. Utilisation for Ralph stands at 42%, its sector's Utilisation is 30% and the S & P 500's Utilisation is 8%. Gaylord's Utilisation is double that of its sector at 40% - the rest of the Russell 2000 is 34%. For those investors wishing to buy back shares in Ralph, there are 6.51 Days to Cover (known in the U.S as "short interest ratio"). For Gaylord there are 17.52 Days to Cover.

Disclosure: none