(Updates to add NYSE figure)
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Short interest in Nasdaq-listed stocks was flat but fell
slightly in New York Stock Exchange-listed stocks in the second
half of April as stocks were mixed ahead of last week's slump,
according to the latest figures for the exchanges' semi-monthly
statistic.
The Nasdaq's short interest was totaling 7.08 billion shares of
all 2,913 Nasdaq securities as of April 30, compared with 7.08
billion from 2,911 securities as of April 15.
The short ratio, or the number of days' average volume
represented by outstanding share positions, declined to 2.84 days
from 3.08 days, according to the exchange.
At the NYSE, a unit of NYSE Euronext (NYX), short interest slid
to 13.84 billion shares, equal to 3.62% of total shares
outstanding, from 13.9 billion shares, or 3.6% of shares
outstanding.
Investors who short shares borrow and sell them, betting the
share price will fall and they can buy them back at a lower price
for return to the lender. Stocks can be shorted for reasons other
than bearish bets, including hedging strategies.
-By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480;
john.kell@dowjones.com