Based on the rise in the short interest in banks at mid-month, it is clear how badly investors betting bank stocks would go down were mauled.

As of March 15, shares short in AIG (AIG) were up 17% to 183 million. The short interest in Bank of America was up 54% to 172 million. Shares short in Wells Fargo (WFC) moved up 35% to 156 million.

Astonishingly, the short interest in Citigroup (C) rose 391% in the two weeks between the end of February to mid-March, hitting 998 million shares. Short sellers covering those positions would have accounted for a significant portion of the rise in Citi’s stock price.

Shorts moved out of car stocks, assuming that there will be some kind of bailout.  Short interest in Ford (F) fell 16% to 245 million. Shares short in GM (GM) were off 7% to 110 million.

In the tech sector, short sellers are still assuming that sales of both hardware and software will get worse. The short interest in Microsoft (MSFT) rose 17% to 101 million. Shares short in Cisco (CSCO) were up 21% to 69 million. The short interest in Applied Material (AMAT) was up 33% to 51 million. Shares short in Dell (DELL) moved up 40% to 44 million. Shares short in Broadcom (BRCM), Qualcomm (QCOM), and Juniper (JNPR).

Data from NYSE and NASDAQ.

Douglas A. McIntyre

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