Short Interest Tracker
Track the most shorted stocks and identify short squeeze candidates with real-time FINRA data. Monitor short interest percentages, days to cover, and borrow rates.
High short interest indicates bearish sentiment but also creates potential for explosive short squeezes when shorts are forced to cover their positions.
Stocks Tracked
0
With short data
High Short Interest
0
Above 20% shorted
Extreme Shorts
0
Above 40% shorted
Average Short %
0.0%
Market average
Short Squeeze Candidates
High short interest combined with strong volume
Most Shorted Stocks
| Rank | Symbol | Short % | Action |
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Understanding Short Interest
What is Short Selling?
Short selling is when investors borrow shares and sell them, hoping to buy them back later at a lower price. Short interest measures how many shares have been borrowed and sold but not yet repurchased.
- Indicates bearish sentiment on a stock
- Can predict future price declines
- Creates potential for short squeezes
- Requires paying borrow fees
Short Squeeze Mechanics
A short squeeze occurs when a heavily shorted stock rises, forcing shorts to buy shares to limit losses. This buying creates more upward pressure, potentially causing exponential price increases.
- Rising prices force short sellers to cover
- Covering creates buying pressure
- Can lead to rapid price acceleration
- High risk but potentially high reward
Key Metrics to Monitor
- Short Interest %: Percentage of float sold short
- Days to Cover: Time needed to cover all short positions
- Short Volume: Daily short selling activity
- Borrow Rate: Cost to maintain short positions
- Change in SI: Trend of short interest over time
Trading Short Interest
- Contrarian: Buy heavily shorted stocks expecting squeeze
- Confirmation: Avoid high short interest as warning sign
- Catalyst: Look for news that could trigger covering
- Risk Management: Use stops on squeeze plays
- Timing: Monitor volume and price action for entry
Short Interest Level Guide
Extreme Short Interest
Very high bearish sentiment. Prime short squeeze candidates if positive catalyst emerges. Shorts may have difficulty exiting positions. Exercise extreme caution - either significant downside or explosive upside potential.
Very High Short Interest
Heavily shorted with strong bearish conviction. Moderate squeeze potential if momentum shifts. Monitor for changes in sentiment or fundamental improvements that could trigger covering.
High Short Interest
Significant bearish bets but still manageable. Common for value traps or companies with known issues. Watch for catalysts that could shift sentiment and trigger short covering.
Moderate Short Interest
Above average but not extreme. Normal for stocks with mixed sentiment or transition stories. Shorts present but not overwhelming. Limited squeeze potential unless strong catalyst emerges.
Low Short Interest
Normal levels of short selling. Limited bearish sentiment. Minimal squeeze potential. Stock price movements driven primarily by fundamentals and market conditions rather than short covering dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is short interest?▼
Short interest is the total number of shares that have been sold short but not yet covered or closed out. It represents the percentage of a stock's float that has been borrowed and sold by investors betting the price will decline. High short interest indicates significant bearish sentiment.
What is a short squeeze?▼
A short squeeze occurs when a heavily shorted stock's price rises sharply, forcing short sellers to buy shares to close their positions and cut losses. This buying pressure drives the price even higher, creating a feedback loop. Stocks with high short interest and positive catalysts are prime candidates for short squeezes.
What is considered high short interest?▼
Short interest above 10% of float is generally considered elevated. Above 20% is very high and suggests strong bearish sentiment. Above 30-40% is extreme and indicates potential short squeeze risk. However, context matters - some stocks trade with persistently high short interest for fundamental reasons.
What is days to cover?▼
Days to cover (short interest ratio) measures how many days it would take for all short sellers to cover their positions based on average daily trading volume. A ratio above 10 days indicates it would take significant time to unwind short positions, increasing squeeze potential. Higher ratios mean greater difficulty for shorts to exit.
How do I find short squeeze candidates?▼
Look for stocks with: (1) High short interest (>20% of float), (2) High days to cover ratio (>7-10 days), (3) Positive catalysts (earnings beat, new product, partnership), (4) Increasing price momentum, (5) High retail interest and social media buzz. Combine these factors to identify potential squeeze opportunities.
Where does short interest data come from?▼
Short interest data comes from two main sources: (1) FINRA daily short sale volume reports, which show daily short selling activity, and (2) Exchange-reported short interest data, published twice monthly showing total shares sold short. Our data combines both sources for comprehensive short interest tracking.
What is short volume vs short interest?▼
Short volume is the number of shares sold short on a specific day as a percentage of total volume. Short interest is the total cumulative number of shares currently sold short and not yet covered. Short volume shows daily activity, while short interest shows the total outstanding short position.
What is a borrow rate?▼
Borrow rate (fee) is the annual interest rate short sellers must pay to borrow shares. Rates above 10% indicate a stock is "hard to borrow." Rates above 100% are extreme and suggest very limited share availability. High borrow rates increase the cost of maintaining short positions and can force shorts to cover.
Why do stocks have high short interest?▼
Stocks develop high short interest when investors believe the price will decline due to: overvaluation, deteriorating fundamentals, competitive threats, regulatory issues, or industry disruption. Some heavily shorted stocks decline as shorts predicted, while others squeeze higher if bears are wrong.
Can I profit from short squeezes?▼
Short squeezes can provide significant profit opportunities but carry high risk. Successful squeeze trading requires: identifying heavily shorted stocks before the squeeze, recognizing catalysts that could trigger covering, proper position sizing, and disciplined profit-taking. Never chase a squeeze that has already moved significantly.
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