Crude oil was trading right around $52 a barrel early on Monday. Over the past month, crude has fluctuated incredibly, following the markets lower for the most part. However, it is worth pointing out that the current crude price still pales in comparison to what it was in 2014.

The January 15 short interest data have been compared with the previous figures, and short interest in most of these selected big oil stocks increased.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) bucked the trend with a short interest decrease to 20.55 million shares from the previous reading of 21.45 million. The shares were trading at $111.88 early Monday, in a 52-week range of $100.22 to $131.58.

Short interest in Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) rose to 31.18 million shares from the previous level of 30.09 million. The stock traded at $70.95, within a 52-week range of $64.65 to $89.30.

BP PLC (NYSE: BP) short interest increased to 6.04 million shares from the previous level of 5.66 million. Shares traded at $39.40, in a 52-week range of $36.15 to $47.83.

The number of ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) shares short rose slightly to 13.90 million from the previous 13.64 million. Shares were trading at $65.65, within a 52-week range of $50.18 to $80.24.

Short interest at Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, grew to 38.23 million shares from the previous 30.44 million. The stock traded at $15.20 a share, in a 52-week range of $9.02 to $17.20. Unfortunately, Petrobras may be trading on an entirely different set of fundamentals and sentiment due to its ongoing woes in Brazil.

Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s (NYSE: OXY) short interest increased to 15.53 million shares from the previous reading of 14.32 million. Shares recently traded at $65.75, in a 52-week range of $56.83 to $87.67.

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