The short interest on the NYSE hit an all-time record in the period measured on February 29. Figures by company compare with shares sold short on February 15. Investors bet that shocks would drop across most sectors.
Financial firms had significant increases in short interest. At Citigroup (NYSE:C) the number rose 25.8 million shares to 118.6 million. At Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) the figure moved up 12.3 million to 108.8 million. At Wachovia (NYSE:WB) short interest jumped 6.3 million shares to 103.2 million.
At Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) shares short rose 14.7 million to 66.5 million.At Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) short interest soared 13.4 million to 53.5 million.
Shares short in telecom companies AT&T NYSE:(T), Verizon (NYSE:VZ), and Qwest (NYSE:Q) also rose by a significant margin.
Data from WSJ and NYSE.
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.
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