Investing

Short Sellers Increase Bets Against Telecom

Short sellers made bets across the board against the telecom industry for the period that ended January 15. Investors may be worried about price wars amongh carriers and handset companies as they fight for market share in a market of increased numbers of products and new operating systems like Google Android. AT&T and Verizon Wireless have recently begun competition based on lowering subscriber fees.

The short interest in Motorola (NYSE:MOT) rose 52% to 57.9 million shares. Shares short in Qwest (NYSE:Q) rose 15% to 76.1 million. The short interest in AT&T (NYSE:T) rose 14% to 64 million. Shares short in Sprint (NYSE:S) were up 5% to 97.1 million. The short interest in MetroPCS (NYSE:PCS) rose 13% to 24.8 million. Shares short in Palm (NASDAQ:PALM) were up 18% to 73.9 million. The short interest in cellphone chip provider Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) was higher by 8% to 28.1 million. Shares short in RIM (NASDAQ:RIMM) were up 14% to 16.6 million. The short interest in Vodafone (NYSE:VOD) was up 34% to 7.6 million.

Among widely traded stocks listed on the NYSE, the short interest in Ford (NYSE:F) rose 25% to 103.4 million shares. Shares sold short in Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) rose 31% to 71.9 million. The short interest in Disney (NYSE:DIS) fell 23% to 48.6 million.

Large changes among stocks traded on NASDAQ include an increase in the short interest in Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) of 18% to 26.6 million. Shares sold short in DryShips (NASSAQ:DRYS) rose 53% to 13.9 million. Shares sold short in Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) were down 15% to 54.8 million.

Data from NYSE and NASDAQ.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.