Updated Short Interest Data

Using the NYSE's updated short interest numbers, below we highlight stocks in the S&P 500 with the highest short interest as a percentage of equity float.

As shown, Big Lots (BIG) currently has the highest short interest in the S&P 500. Interestingly, the stock is also the second best performer in the index year to date (behind PHM). As shown, BIG had an increase in short interest of 15% in the last month, so as the stock has risen, the shorts have increased their bearish bets.

The stocks with the second and third highest short interest as a percentage of float are homebuilders LEN and KBH. Over the last month, however, short interest has decreased as these stocks have risen. This adds to the general consensus that short covering has been prevalent in the homebuilder sector.

Other names on the list that rank high in short interest but saw decreases over the last month are NYT, RSH, MBI, DDS and CFC. BSC, WFMI, RL, BC, LEG, GAS, AVB, GM and VRSN have high short interest and saw increases over the last month.

click to enlarge

We also provide a list of the S&P 500 stocks that saw the biggest one-month increases in short interest. As shown, CIT, SUN, DTE, AET and PNC top the list, but most of these names still have relatively low short interest levels as a percentage of float.

Comments

[Moses:]

Shorts got creamed on WaMu today

2008 Apr 07 03:24 PM