Using the data from our partner Ortex.com, which utilizes the latest information from stock lenders to estimate short interest changes for thousands of publicly traded companies, this version will screen for some of biggest changes in short interest as a percentage of free float and days-to-cover ratios.

This report will also continue to layer 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 will continue to track the trading period that covers prior Friday through Thursday of this week.

As a basis of comparison, the S&P 500 index was up 1.9%, the Russell 2000 index was up 2.8%, the Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) was up 1.4%, and the Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) was up 2.2% in the period range.

B&G FOODS SHORT INTEREST REACHES THREE-MONTH HIGHS

Estimated short interest in B&G Foods (BGS) has accelerated its gains, spiking on Monday and also rising for four out of five trading sessions. For the week, B&G Foods short interest was up 22% at 28.94% of free float – the highest level since the last week of January - while the days-to-cover ratio on the stock rose over 40% to 12.0. Shares of B&G Foods were down 3.2% in the five-day trading period covered.

LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS SHORT INTEREST UP TO ONE-MONTH HIGH

Estimated short interest on Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) bottomed late last week and rose by over 20% on Monday, with the final incremental tally for the week also reaching 22%. Days-to-cover ratio on the stock was up 49% to 4.49 - up for the second consecutive week and at the highest level since mid-February. Shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals were down 1.5% in the five-day trading period covered.

NATIONAL BEVERAGE SHORT INTEREST REACHES THREE-WEEK HIGH

Estimated short positioning in National Beverage (FIZZ) remained volatile, though after Monday’s spike to over 29% - a three-week high - the balance of the week saw a retreat below 27% for an overall weekly gain of 13%. Days-to-cover ratio however rose over 44% to 2.2. The stock is heading for its seventh consecutive losing session at the time of writing on Friday – with shares of National Beverage overall falling 8.7% in the five-day trading period covered.

ROOT, FISKER ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST DOWN SHARPLY

Estimated short positioning in Root (ROOT) and Fisker (FSR) highlight this week’s decliners, with the shares of the former up 5.8% and the latter holding relatively flat in the five-day trading period covered. Root net short interest reached the highest level of the year last week before falling 28 percentage points to 44.7% as of Thursday, while that of Fisker reached 50% on Friday before falling to 33% as of yesterday.

SHOTSPOTTER SHORT INTEREST UP FOR SECOND WEEK

ShotSpotter (SSTI) is this week’s notable newcomer to our screen, with estimated short positioning bottoming in mid-April and now rising for two consecutive weeks. Short interest for the five-day period was up 2 points or just under 20% at 12.2%. The stock has not seen any notable increases in volume in the past week but will remain on our radar. Shares of ShotSpotter were down 1.7% in the five-day trading period covered.