Tech Titans Apple and IBM Dominate December Short Selling Trend

Tech Leaders Grab Attention in Short Selling

The recent report from Hazeltree highlights Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) as the most shorted stock among hedge fund managers in December. This intriguing finding shows the significant influence that hedge fund activities can have in the market and the implications for investors seeking to navigate these waters.

Hazeltree's monthly Shortside Crowdedness Report provides insights into stocks across the U.S., EMEA, and APAC regions that are frequently shorted by alternative asset and hedge fund managers. This analysis encompasses a wide variety of stocks, including those categorized as large-, mid-, and small-cap.

Short selling occurs when an investor anticipates that a stock's price will drop, allowing them to profit by selling borrowed shares and buying them back at a lower price. This investment strategy is particularly favored by hedge funds due to its potential profitability.

In December, Apple stood out in the realm of large-cap U.S. stocks, sharing this top position with Live Nation (NYSE: LYV), the well-known ticketing company. Both stocks received a remarkable Hazeltree Crowdedness score of 99, indicating a high level of short-selling activity.

According to Hazeltree, “This score represents securities that are being shorted by the highest percentage of funds in Hazeltree’s community in a predefined category. The stocks are graded on a scale of 1 to 99, with 99 indicating the strongest short-selling interest.”

Other Significant Stocks in the Spotlight

The report also unveiled several other technology stocks that garnered notable short-selling interest in December. This includes IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX), both of which holding a score of 96. These figures highlight the continued pressures faced by corporate giants within the tech space and beyond.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI), and Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) were also prominent in the report, each with scores of 90. The semiconductor sector remains particularly competitive, evident in the performance of Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) and Boeing (NYSE: BA), both scoring 87.

In an interesting twist, the report noted a conspicuous absence: Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), which has typically dominated short-selling lists in the past. Tim Smith, managing director of data insights at Hazeltree, expressed surprise at Tesla's omission, particularly given its previous prominence.

Small and Mid-Caps Under Scrutiny

The Hazeltree report extended its analysis to mid-cap and small-cap stocks, revealing Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) as the top shorted mid-cap with a perfect score of 99 for the second consecutive month. Charles River Labs (NYSE: CRL) followed with a significant score of 89, while Comstock Resources (NYSE: CRK) showcased a notable institutional supply utilization figure at 50.26%, demonstrating the demand for its shares in the lending market.

For small-cap stocks, Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) continued its trend as the most shorted stock, with an impressive 99 score for the fifth month in a row. The company's ability to maintain such high institutional supply utilization is indicative of the market's expectations for its future performance.

Across the EMEA region, H&M emerged as the most shorted large-cap stock, while Alstom (EPA: ALSO) led in the mid-cap category with a score of 99. The report also highlighted unique trends within small-cap stocks, where SSP Group plc, Hays PLC, Basic Fit NV, and Alphawave IP Group PLC shared the top score of 99.

The insights provided in the report stem from Hazeltree's comprehensive securities finance platform, which tracks around 15,000 equities globally. This data sheds light on the ever-evolving dynamics of short selling in diverse markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for a stock to be shorted?

Shorting a stock involves selling borrowed shares with the expectation that the price will decrease, allowing the investor to buy back the shares at a lower price and profit from the difference.

Who releases the Shortside Crowdedness Report?

The Shortside Crowdedness Report is published by Hazeltree, which specializes in providing data analytics for hedge funds and asset managers.

Why is short-selling significant in the stock market?

Short-selling provides insights into investor sentiment and can indicate broader market trends, as heavy shorting can suggest that many investors foresee a decline in the stock's price.

Which stocks topped the short-selling list in December?

Apple and Live Nation were the top shorted stocks, each receiving a Crowdedness score of 99.

What factors affect the decision to short-sell a stock?

Investors consider company fundamentals, market conditions, and broader economic indicators when deciding whether to engage in short-selling strategies.

About The Author

Greetings, I'm 32-year-old author and financial specialist Evelyn Baker. My introduction into the financial industry started with an economics degree and continued with a wealth of experience in wealth management and financial consulting. My great passion over the years has been assisting people and companies in making wise, well-informed decisions to reach their financial objectives.

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