(Updates to add NYSE figure)
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Short interest in Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange-listed
stocks grew slightly in the second half of May, according to the
latest figures for the exchanges' semi-monthly statistic, as
concerns about the sustainability of the world economic recovery
continued to drive market volatility.
The Nasdaq's short interest totaled 7.21 billion shares of all
2,912 Nasdaq securities as of May 28, compared with 7.18 billion
from 2,913 securities as of May 14.
The short ratio, or the number of days' average volume
represented by outstanding share positions, grew to 2.69 days from
2.34 days, according to the exchange.
At the NYSE, a unit of NYSE Euronext (NYX), short interest rose
0.6%, to 13.99 billion shares, equal to 3.66% of total shares
outstanding.
Investors who short shares borrow and sell them, betting that
share prices will fall and that they can buy them back at a lower
price for return to the lender. Stocks can also be shorted for
reasons other than bearish best, including hedging strategies.
-By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480;
john.kell@dowjones.com