Celcuity Short Interest Rises to 31.8%
Welcome to this week's installment of "The Short Interest Report" - The Fly's weekly recap of short interest trends among some of the most widely followed high-short-float stocks. Using the data from our partnerwhich utilizes the latest information from stock lenders to estimate short interest changes for thousands of publicly traded companies, this report will screen for some of biggest changes in short interest as a percentage of free float and days-to-cover ratios while also considering the short interest data on some of the more volatile and heavier-traded names of the week. Based on the availability of data from Ortex, the report tracks the trading period that covers prior Friday through Thursday of this week, excluding holidays. As a basis of comparison for stocks discussed below, the S&P 500 index was down 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.4%, the Russell 2000 index was up 1.7%, the Russell 2000 Growth ETFwas up 1.6%, and the Russell 2000 Value ETFwas up 1.8% in the four-day trading session range through January 22.SHORT INTEREST GAINERSAs profiled last week, Ortex-reported short interest on Celcuityhad troughed at a three-month low below 20% in the final week of November, followed by a gradual ascend that picked up speed in the first half of January. The bears demonstrated greater resolve as the percentage of short interest to free float had jumped from 23.7% to 28.8% last week, and this week, the trend continued, with short interest gaining another three percentage points to 31.8% - now less than two points away from 2025 highs just north of 33%. With trading volume holding steady, days-to-cover on the name also continued to climb, rising from 5.0 to 6.0. The stock, meanwhile, was up 5.2% in the four-day period covered through Thursday and has now gained 10.3% year-to-date.Ortex-reported short interest on Intuitive Machineshad tracked in the 20%-23% range from the first week of December just beyond the half-way point of January, though this week has seen a spike in short positioning from 23.0% all the way above 28% - the highest level since September of 2024. Days-to-cover on the name is down notably however, slipping from 5.0 to 4.6 amid a more pronounced period of trading volume activity since mid-December. The stock has nearly tripled since its mid-November lows, rising from $8 per share to over $22, though while the bears were initially prone to reduce exposure, shorts are increasingly re-establishing positions in the new year. This week, Intuitive Machines shares were up another 5.7% in the four-day period covered, with year-to-date gain now seen at 23%.SHORT INTEREST DECLINERSOrtex-reported short interest on Redwirepeaked around 31% in the first week of January as bears looked to fade the 40% advance in the first few days of the new year, but as shares continued to climb, exuberance on the short side gave way to caution. This week, short positioning as a percentage of free float for Redwire fell from 26.4% to 21.8% - the lowest level since mid-November. Days to cover also scaled back to 3.2 from 3.8, even with trading volumes on the stock remaining well above normal ranges. The stock, meanwhile, picked up another 10% in the four-day period through Thursday and now stands having gained 18% from short interest peak on January 6th, 65% year-to-date, and 158% from mid-November lows.Ortex-reported short interest on Rezolve AIskyrocketed from 8% in the first week of December to an all-time high above 32% by mid-January as the stock also more than doubled in that timespan. With shares rolling over this week in conjunction with the company's announced $250M registered direct offering however, bears are also booking profits - short interest as a percentage of free float has declined from 32.3% all the way down to 21.3%, while days-to-cover on the name is down from 4.2 to 1.8. Rezolve AI has lost 25% in the four-day period covered and more than half of its value since the stock's peak in mid-September, though year-to-date in 2026, shares are still up 22%.
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- Surge in Options Volume: On Holding AG's options trading volume reached 108,317 contracts, equivalent to approximately 10.8 million shares, reflecting a 237.8% increase over its average daily trading volume, indicating strong market interest in the company's future performance.
- High Demand for Call Options: Notably, the $40 strike call option expiring on March 20, 2026, saw a trading volume of 36,567 contracts today, representing about 3.7 million shares, suggesting a significant bullish sentiment among investors regarding the stock's price trajectory.
- Celcuity Inc Options Activity: Celcuity Inc's options volume stood at 8,693 contracts, translating to approximately 869,300 shares, which is 134.5% of its average daily trading volume, highlighting growing investor interest in the company's potential growth.
- Market Enthusiasm for Call Options: For Celcuity Inc, the $130 strike call option expiring on April 17, 2026, recorded a trading volume of 5,005 contracts today, representing around 500,500 shares, further reflecting optimistic investor sentiment about its future performance.
- Stake Increase: Apis Capital Advisors, LLC disclosed in a February 17, 2026 SEC filing that it increased its stake in Garrett Motion by 2,090,000 shares, raising its ownership to 6.77%, with the investment now valued at $38.87 million, reflecting a significant $36.96 million increase, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Performance Metrics: As of February 17, 2026, Garrett Motion's shares were priced at $20.62, representing a remarkable 125.4% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 115.68 percentage points, showcasing the company's robust performance and market recognition in the automotive parts sector.
- Market Demand: Despite the rise of electric vehicles, the automotive industry remains heavily reliant on internal combustion engines, with stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations sustaining demand for turbochargers; Garrett Motion's products enable automakers to meet these requirements while maintaining performance, ensuring revenue stability.
- Investment Outlook: As hybrid vehicles gain traction, Garrett Motion's profitability will depend on steady global vehicle output and ongoing demand for advanced combustion technology, prompting investors to monitor the duration of this transitional phase and its implications for the company's future performance.
- Stake Increase: Apis Capital Advisors, LLC disclosed an increase of 2,090,000 shares in Garrett Motion in a recent SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, with an estimated trade size of approximately $33.28 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Value Appreciation: At quarter-end, the value of Garrett Motion's stake reached $38.87 million, reflecting a $36.96 million increase from the prior period due to both trading activity and price appreciation, further solidifying its position in the portfolio.
- Asset Management Proportion: Following this transaction, Garrett Motion now constitutes 6.77% of Apis Capital's 13F reportable assets under management, highlighting its significance despite not being among the top five holdings in the fund.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Garrett Motion shares were priced at $20.62, representing a 125.4% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 115.68 percentage points, underscoring its competitive edge in the automotive parts industry.
- Stake Increase: Perceptive Advisors acquired an additional 203,881 shares of Celcuity in Q4 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $16.76 million, indicating strong conviction in the company, especially given its 700% stock price surge over the past year.
- Ownership Proportion Rise: Following this purchase, Perceptive Advisors' stake in Celcuity increased to 5.62%, reflecting its significant emphasis on the company within its portfolio and reinforcing Celcuity's position among its top five holdings.
- Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Celcuity shares were priced at $107.32, with a market capitalization of $4.97 billion; despite a net loss of $162.72 million over the past year, the company's market potential continues to attract investor interest.
- FDA Review Progress: Celcuity's New Drug Application for gedatolisib has been accepted by the FDA for Priority Review, with a goal date of July 17, 2026; if approved, this could provide significant commercial opportunities in the competitive breast cancer market, further enhancing its stock price and market position.
- Share Acquisition Details: Perceptive Advisors increased its stake in Praxis Precision Medicines by 431,432 shares during Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $80.34 million, reflecting strong confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Position Value Growth: Following this acquisition, the value of Praxis's holdings reached $588.30 million, an increase of $505.38 million from the previous quarter-end, indicating significant stock price appreciation and positive investor sentiment.
- Financial Overview: As of February 17, 2026, Praxis shares were priced at $328.04, up 320% year-over-year, despite a net loss of $273.04 million in 2025, suggesting market optimism regarding its future product pipeline.
- R&D and Market Outlook: Praxis has submitted two NDAs to the FDA and is actively preparing for commercialization, with multiple clinical trial results expected in 2026, which could further enhance its market position in the central nervous system sector.
- Stake Increase: Perceptive Advisors purchased an additional 203,881 shares of Celcuity in Q4 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $16.76 million, indicating strong confidence in the company's future growth potential.
- Ownership Proportion Rise: Following this purchase, Perceptive Advisors' stake in Celcuity increased to 5.62%, highlighting its significance within the investment portfolio and further drawing market attention to Celcuity.
- Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Celcuity shares were priced at $107.32, reflecting a staggering 700% increase over the past year, underscoring strong market anticipation for its drug development.
- FDA Review Progress: Celcuity's new drug application for gedatolisib has received Priority Review from the FDA, with a decision expected by July 17, 2026, a critical timeline that could significantly impact its future market performance.








