Total number of shares of a security that investors have sold short and that have not been repurchased to close out the short position. Usually, investors sell short to profit from price declines. As a result, the short interest is often an indicator of the amount of pessimism in the market about a particular security, although there are other reasons to short that are not related to pessimism. For example, hedging strategies for mergers and acquisition as well as derivative positions may involve short sales.
The amount of shares that have been sold short and still remain uncovered by a transaction to close out the short position. Adjusted short interest is the term when estimated arbitrage and options trading influences are eliminated.
This is the number of shares currently borrowed by investors for sale, but not yet returned to the owner (lender).
A technical analysis tool used in evaluating market sentiment. The short interest ratio is calculated by dividing the total shares sold short of a stock by its average daily trading volume. Shorted shares are those borrowed and sold by investors who think the same shares will be available later for repurchase at a lower price. A short interest ratio of greater than 2.0 is often considered a sign that a stock's price will soon go higher. The rationale is that the large short position must be covered in the future, thereby creating buying pressure and driving the stock price up.
The outstanding short positions in a market. Paradoxically, high short interest is a bullish signal, since all shorts must eventually be covered (Daniel Drew: "He who sells what isn't his'n buys it back or goes to prison").
Shares that have been sold short and not yet repurchased.
This is the total number of shares of a security that investors have sold short, i.e., borrowed, then sold in the hope that the security will fall in value. If the stock price does fall, the short seller then buys back the shares and pockets the difference as profit.
The total number of shares of a particular stock which have been sold short and remain uncovered (not repurchased). Followers of the short interest theory believe an increase in short interest is a bullish signal since the short sellers will eventually need to purchase stock to cover their shorts. This cushion of potential buyers will tend to support a declining market or accelerate a rising market.
The aggregate of securities or commodities that have been sold short and not yet covered
The total number of shares of a security that have been sold short (see "Short Sale") by customers and securities firms.
The total number of shares that have been sold short and have yet to be repurchased. See: Selling Short; Short Interest Theory
The total number of shares of a security that have been sold short by customers and securities firms that have not been repurchased to settle short positions in the market.
short position short sale
