CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What are the most shorted US stocks?

15:11 9 January 2019

Summary:

  • US indices remain well supported near 3-week highs

  • Bank of America publish list of most shorted US stocks

  • Most come from discretionary and tech sectors

 

Once more US indices are trading in the green this afternoon with the US500 moving up to its highest level in 3 weeks and probing the potential resistance zone from 2589-2624. After Friday’s strong gains the recent sessions have been a bit more measured, but they have still been gains nonetheless with the market on course for a 4th consecutive green close.

Start investing today or test a free demo

Open account Try demo Download mobile app Download mobile app
 

The small-cap US index (US2000) is often overlooks but can serve as a leading indicator as we saw during the downturn in the latter parts of 2018. The market peaked back at the start of September, almost a whole month before it’s large cap equivalents and also has fallen further, with a peak to trough decline of around 28%. Price has enjoyed a nice bounce of late and is now back around the 38.2-41.4% fib retracement region from 1441-1457 and this may put a cap on the rally for the time being. The break above the 23.6% at 1369 triggered a nice break higher and this could be seen as possible support if the market pulls back.

The US2000 has recovered to trade back near the 38.2-41.4% fib of the larger decline at 1441-1457. This may provide resistance going forward. Source: xStation     

 

The positioning of managed money can often provide insight for a retail trader into how professionals see the current market. It can be seen as indicative of the likely path of least resistance for stocks, whether that is in the same direction as the imbalance or whether it is used as a contrarian indicator - heavily shorted stocks can have a propensity to rally sharply if sentiment changes and crowded downside bets are forced to run for the exits. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has issued a list of stocks that the markets are currently betting against the most, with the following 12 stocks listed in ascending order of their short interest as a percentage of float.

 
  • TRIPADVISOR (TRIP.US) - Short interest 13%. 12-month performance: +64%

  • CAMPBELL SOUP (CPB.US) - Short interest 13%. 12-month performance: -30%

  • ALBEMARLE (ALB.US) - Short interest 13%. 12-month performance: -44%

  • ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES MD (AMD.US) - Short interest 13%. 12-month performance: +68%

  • COTY (COTY.US) - Short interest: 14%. 12-month performance: -63%

  • MACYS (M.US) - Short interest: 14%. 12-month performance: +26%  

  • NORDSTROM (JWN.US) - Short interest: 15%. 12-month performance: +1%

  • KOHLS (KSS.US) - Short interest: 15%. 12-month performance: +21%

  • MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY (MCHP.US) - Short interest: 16%. 12-month performance; -22%

  • UNDER ARMOUR (UA.US) - Short interest: 17%. 12-month performance: +18%

  • DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS (DISCA.US) - Short interest: 18%. 12-month performance: +22%  

  • MATTEL (MAT.US) - Short interest: 20%. 12-month performance: -26%

 

 

This content has been created by XTB S.A. This service is provided by XTB S.A., with its registered office in Warsaw, at Prosta 67, 00-838 Warsaw, Poland, entered in the register of entrepreneurs of the National Court Register (Krajowy Rejestr Sądowy) conducted by District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, XII Commercial Division of the National Court Register under KRS number 0000217580, REGON number 015803782 and Tax Identification Number (NIP) 527-24-43-955, with the fully paid up share capital in the amount of PLN 5.869.181,75. XTB S.A. conducts brokerage activities on the basis of the license granted by Polish Securities and Exchange Commission on 8th November 2005 No. DDM-M-4021-57-1/2005 and is supervised by Polish Supervision Authority.

Back
Xtb logo

Join over 1 Million investors from around the world

We use cookies

By clicking “Accept All”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

This group contains cookies that are necessary for our websites to work. They take part in functionalities like language preferences, traffic distribution or keeping user session. They cannot be disabled.

Cookie name
Description
SERVERID
userBranchSymbol cc 2 March 2024
adobe_unique_id cc 1 March 2025
test_cookie cc 1 March 2024
SESSID cc 9 September 2022
__hssc cc 1 March 2024
__cf_bm cc 1 March 2024
intercom-id-iojaybix cc 26 November 2024
intercom-session-iojaybix cc 8 March 2024

We use tools that let us analyze the usage of our page. Such data lets us improve the user experience of our web service.

Cookie name
Description
_gid cc 9 September 2022
_gat_UA-22576382-1 cc 8 September 2022
_gat_UA-121192761-1 cc 8 September 2022
_ga_CBPL72L2EC cc 1 March 2026
_ga cc 1 March 2026
AnalyticsSyncHistory cc 8 October 2022
af_id cc 31 March 2025
afUserId cc 1 March 2026
af_id cc 1 March 2026
AF_SYNC cc 8 March 2024
__hstc cc 28 August 2024
__hssrc

This group of cookies is used to show you ads of topics that you are interested in. It also lets us monitor our marketing activities, it helps to measure the performance of our ads.

Cookie name
Description
MUID cc 26 March 2025
_omappvp cc 11 February 2035
_omappvs cc 1 March 2024
_uetsid cc 2 March 2024
_uetvid cc 26 March 2025
_fbp cc 30 May 2024
fr cc 7 December 2022
muc_ads cc 7 September 2024
lang
_ttp cc 26 March 2025
_tt_enable_cookie cc 26 March 2025
_ttp cc 26 March 2025
hubspotutk cc 28 August 2024

Cookies from this group store your preferences you gave while using the site, so that they will already be here when you visit the page after some time.

Cookie name
Description
personalization_id cc 7 September 2024
UserMatchHistory cc 8 October 2022
bcookie cc 8 September 2023
lidc cc 9 September 2022
lang
bscookie cc 8 September 2023
li_gc cc 7 March 2023

This page uses cookies. Cookies are files stored in your browser and are used by most websites to help personalise your web experience. For more information see our Privacy Policy You can manage cookies by clicking "Settings". If you agree to our use of cookies, click "Accept all".

Change region and language
Country of residence
Language