Short interest in energy sector hits highest in more than a decade

• Short interest as a percentage of float for the energy sector surpassed 12% at the end of January to its highest level in more than a decade, according to research from Bespoke.
• Six of the eight most heavily shorted stocks among the S&P 500 resided in the energy sector, all with percentage of float levels exceeding 20%: Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK), Transocean (NYSE:RIG), Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN) Diamond Offshore (NYSE:DO), Consol Energy (NYSE:CNX) and Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP).
• GameStop (NYSE:GME) was the most heavily shorted stock in the S&P 500, Bespoke says.