WisdomTree Short Interest Soars to 26%

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 partner, which 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 up 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.3%, the Russell 2000 index was up 1.5%, the Russell 2000 Growth ETFwas up 1.7%, and the Russell 2000 Value ETFwas up 1.2% in the five-day trading session range through February 12.SHORT INTEREST GAINERSOrtex-reported short interest on WisdomTreesaw a four-month low of about 17% in the first week of December and remained within a 17%-19% band up until this week before spiking as high as 26% - a record high – with days to cover also rising modestly to 10.3 from 9.6. Similarly, the official exchange-reported data on the stock as of January-end saw shorts as a percentage of free float having already reached its own record high of nearly 23%. The stock is up 5.4% in the five-day period covered, though year-to-date, shares are up an impressive 34% - the highest return in the Asset Manager group - building the case for a correction.Ortex-reported short interest on Surgery Partnershas been on a gradual uptrend since October low around 18%, though this week, bearish positioning increase became much more pronounced. Shorts as a percentage of free float on the name jumped from 27.4% to 32.4% - the highest level since mid-July – as bears noted the strong 18% rebound in the stock from Monday's multi-month lows. For the week, Surgery Partners was up 15%, and year-to-date, the stock is now flat.Ortex-reported short interest in Upstartwas up every session but one from the five- month lows around 24% on February 2, rising to 27.8%. Bears are pressing their bets, with the stock deepening its selloff since reporting a disappointing Q4 earnings report on Tuesday. Shares are now at the lowest level since mid-2024, having fallen 13% in the five-day period covered through Thursday and also down 42% from early-January highs. Notably, Upstart saw some modest strength of about 2% on Friday as the stock received a valuation-driven upgrade from Goldman Sachs and as the Credit Services group re-rated after a brutal February selloff.Ortex-reported short interest on Concentrixis on the rise even as the stock has come under extreme pressure over the course of two consecutive days this week. Shorts as a percentage of free float in Concentrix had been trending higher since late February, though this week, the increased bearish positioning tripped the radar with an increase of over two percentage points, rising from 22.8% to 25.2% - the highest level since late October. For the week, the IT Solutions name was down 19%, and year-to-date, the stock is now down 27%, though this week's all-time lows in share are hardly proving to be a deterrent among the shorts.SHORT INTEREST DECLINERSShares of Under Armourhad been in a rut since late 2024, and 2025 was particularly unkind to the athletic apparel maker as its stock fell about 40%. 2026 has started off strong for the company however, forcing some notable large scale short-covering. This week, shorts as a percentage of free float in Under Armour fell from 32.8% all the way to 26% - the lowest level since mid-November. Days-to-cover on the name also slipped from 5.9 to a three-month low of 4.9. While the stock was already up over 30% heading into earnings last Friday, a much better than expected set of Q3 results along with the management's guidance raise catalyzed the rebound even further. Under Armour was up 12% in the five-day period through Thursday and has now gained over 44% year-to-date.