Trading

Short interest

Shares sold short that have not yet been bought back or otherwise covered.

Plain-English context

Put the definition to work.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

A company with 10 million shares sold short and a stated 100 million-share float has 10% short interest relative to that float; source date and denominator matter.

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

Specify shares or percentage, denominator and reporting date. It is not an up-to-the-minute tally or a forecast of a squeeze.

Further reading and verification. Examples are hypothetical, not current quotes or recommendations. Product terms, tax treatment and market rules can change. FINRA — order types and execution

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