AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) saw its short interest rise 13.8% to 171.16 million shares, or about 3.3% of the stock’s float. The days to cover is five. One of two telecoms stock in this list, AT&T has been the target of price war and investors are concerned that margins and profits will suffer. The stock closed at $32.00 Wednesday night in a 52-week range of $31.74 to $39.00. Shares are down about 0.5% in the two weeks since the last report on short interest.
Short interest EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC) rose 8.5% to 150.65 million shares, which represents 8.5% of EMC’s float and six days to cover. The company’s shares gained more than 3% in the two-week period to February 14, which probably set off the jump in short interest. The stock closed at $26.35 Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $21.45 to $27.34.
Short interest in Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) fell 1.2% to 1129.3 million shares, representing 12.1% of the company’s float and six days to cover. Shares lost 4.84% in the past two weeks, and the days to cover has doubled. There is not enough action in Alcoa shares to keep some short sellers happy. Shares closed at $12.05, in a 52-week range of $7.63 to $12.32.
Short interest in J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) rose to 128.52 million shares, up 8.5% in the two-week period. Some 42.6% of its shares are held short, but days to cover is only four, based on the stock’s heavy trading volume. Investors were happy with Wednesday’s earnings report, and the shorts scrambled to cover Thursday. The stock closed at $5.96 Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $4.90 to $19.63. Shares gained 6.4% in the two-weeks from January 31 to February 14.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) saw short interest fall to 124.38 million shares, down 2.4% in the two-week period. Days to cover is six for the heavily traded stock, with 20.3% of its float held short. The stock price gained about 6% in the two-week period, but it has leveled off since. Shares closed $3.70 Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $2.26 to $4.65.
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