Kapitall's  Instablog

The following is a list of heavily shorted stocks that are seeing unusual options volume during today's session. Do options traders sense a short squeeze on some of these names? Full analysis below.



1. Hancock Holding Co. (HBHC): Regional Bank. Market cap of $1.03B. Current options volume at 340 contracts, vs. average volume of 32 contracts. Short float at 7.25%, which implies a short ratio of 11.19 days. The stock has lost -22.81% over the last year.

2. Saks Incorporated (SKS): Department Stores Industry. Market cap of $1.24B. Current options volume at 28.14K contracts, vs. average volume of 1,794 contracts. Short float at 34.01%, which implies a short ratio of 9.55 days. The stock has gained 36.52% over the last year.

3. Ballard Power Systems Inc. (BLDP): Industrial Electrical Equipment Industry. Market cap of $167.42M. Current options volume at531 contracts, vs. average volume of 31 contracts. Short float at 2.89%, which implies a short ratio of 8.92 days. The stock has gained 13.07% over the last year.

4. International Rectifier Corporation (IRF): Semiconductor Industry. Market cap of $1.34B. Current options volume at 8,050 contracts, vs. average volume of 353 contracts. Short float at 7.31%, which implies a short ratio of 8.2 days. The stock has gained 7.99% over the last year.

5. CLARCOR Inc. (CLC): Auto Parts Industry. Market cap of $1.73B. Current options volume at 394 contracts, vs. average volume of 15 contracts. Short float at 4.39%, which implies a short ratio of 7.76 days. The stock has gained 6.43% over the last year.

6. Westlake Chemical Corp. (WLK): Specialty Chemicals Industry. Market cap of $1.74B. Current options volume at 2,803 contracts, vs. average volume of 127 contracts. Short float at 9.27%, which implies a short ratio of 7.72 days. The stock has gained 7.99% over the last year.

7. Natus Medical Inc. (BABY): Medical Appliances & Equipment Industry. Market cap of $376.62M. Current options volume at 560 contracts, vs. average volume of 7 contracts. Short float at 4.66%, which implies a short ratio of 6.48 days. The stock has lost -6.05% over the last year.

8. MEDNAX, Inc. (MD): Specialized Health Services Industry. Market cap of $2.31B. Current options volume at 2,330 contracts, vs. average volume of 99 contracts. Short float at 6.28%, which implies a short ratio of 6.44 days. The stock has gained -7.5% over the last year.

9. Mueller Industries Inc. (MLI): Metal Fabrication Industry. Market cap of $894.02M. Current options volume at 126 contracts, vs. average volume of 12 contracts. Short float at 3.22%, which implies a short ratio of 6.09 days. The stock has gained 1.54% over the last year.

10. Bank of Hawaii Corporation (BOH): Regional Bank. Market cap of $2.29B. Current options volume at 562 contracts, vs. average volume of 36 contracts. Short float at 4.79%, which implies a short ratio of 5.98 days. The stock has gained 23.64% over the last year.


Disclosure: No positions