The short interest in Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) jumped to 168.8 million shares for the period that ended March 31, compared to 156.5 million in the period that ended March 15. This short interest, based on share count, in the number two American car company ranks fifth among all public corporations traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
So far this year, the price of Ford’s stock has fallen just over 10%, compared to the S&P 500, which is flat. Over the past year, Ford’s stock has cratered over 20% while the S&P 500 is off a bit more than 2%.
Among the factors that should help Ford is a 14% increase in China sales to 314,454 in the first quarter. More than balancing to the negative side is the fact that overall China sales are expected to slow to a 6% improvement this year. And Ford’s piece of the faltering market is fifth behind General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), Volkswagen, Hyundai and Nissan, according to Reuters. While Ford does well in the United States, its sales are modest in both China and the European Union. That leaves it with strength in only the American market, among the largest markets in the world.
24/7 Wall St.And the U.S. market is slowing as well, with car sales on pace to be less than in 2015.
Ford’s investors have reason to be concerned, and in some cases to short its shares.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
