Nasdaq Stocks With the Most Short Interest

Investing

Published: May 28, 2014 12:15 pm

Last Updated: April 28, 2020 2:15 am

Here is a look at the seven Nasdaq-traded stocks with the largest number of shares held short as of May 15. Six of the seven experienced declines in short interest, and although they have changed positions since the last report on short interest, these remain the most heavily shorted stocks on the Nasdaq.

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) saw its short interest decline 8.4% to 197.06 million shares, about 7.1% of the stock’s float. Days to cover is now four. After some choppy trading in May, the stock is back near its levels of early April. The stock rose about 2.6% in the two-week period to May 15 and closed at $3.32 Tuesday night, up another 5.4%, in a 52-week range of $2.98 to $4.18.

For Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), short interest fell 2.7% to 177.73 million shares. About 3.6% of Intel’s float is now short and the days to cover is eight. The stock’s price dropped by about 1.8% during the two-week period and is up about 3.6% year-to-date. The stock closed at $26.71 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $21.89 to $27.24.

Short interest in Frontier Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: FTR) dropped 5.2% in the two-week period to May 15. Some 160.73 million shares are currently held short, representing 16.2% of the company’s float and a days-to-cover number of 15. The company’s famously generous dividend yield has slipped to 6.9% from more than 8% in late February. Shares closed Tuesday at $5.81, in a 52-week range of $3.80 to $6.10, and posted a share price increase of about 1.5% for the two-week short-interest period.

ALSO READ: The Six Most Shorted NYSE Stocks

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) has 113.33 million shares held short, down 0.3% from the number held short on April 30 and 10.7% of the company’s float. Days to cover is four for the heavily traded stock. Shares rose 3% in the two-week period to May 15 and are up nearly 30% year-to-date. Shares closed at $28.06 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $11.41 to $28.92.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) experienced a rise of 1% in short interest during the two-week period to May 15. Some 6.4% of the company’s shares are held short, and the days to cover is eight. The stock’s price is up 5% in the two-week period and more than 9% year-to-date. Shares closed at $82.16, in a 52-week range of $46.70 to $84.88.

Short interest in BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) fell 7.4% in the first two weeks of May to a total of 93.88 million shares, or 19.2% of BlackBerry’s float. Days to cover is 11 for this highly volatile stock. Short sellers watched share prices fall nearly 4% in the two-week period, a nice pickup for the short sellers. Shares closed at $7.28, in a 52-week range of $5.44 to $15.09, and down nearly 5% year-to-date.

Shares of Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) experienced a rise of 5.6% in short interest to 93.88 million shares, and it now comprises 14.5% of the company’s float. Days to cover is 11. Staples stock rose about 5% in the two-week period but is down nearly 27% year-to-date. Short sellers sniff an opportunity here as office supply stores continue to struggle.

ALSO READ: Nine Companies with the Most Unusual Origins

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.