Here is the weekly recap of short interest trends among some of the most widely followed high-short-float stocks. Using 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 continue to screen for some of biggest changes in short interest as a percentage of free float and days-to-cover ratios.

As indicated last week, this report will also seek 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 down 0.9%, the Russell 2000 index was down 1.1%, the Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) was down 1.3%, and the Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) was down 0.4% in the period range.

FISKER ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST HITS 2021 HIGHS

The upswing in estimated short interest on Fisker (FSR) shares that started in late March accelerated further this week, rising to 49.9% from 32.5%. For the month of April, the short interest has tripled, while the days-to-cover ratio has gone up to 1.67 from 0.60. Both figures are at their highest level for the year. Shares of Fisker were up 1.7% in the five-day trading period covered.

SKILLS ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST UP 46%

Shares of Skillz (SKLZ) were in focus this week as Cathie Woods’ ARK Investments stepped in with multiple aggressive buying sessions after the stock has shed two-thirds of its market cap in a two-month period. Estimated short interest on the stock rose to 25.4% from 17.5% while days-to-cover jumped 33% to 4.45. Skillz stock traded up 9.7% in the five-day trading period covered.

MICROVISION ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST REACHES MAY 2020 LEVEL

Shares of Microvision (MVIS) were up 15.8% in the five-day trading period covered, gaining another 37% heading into the close in Friday’s session following a short-squeeze thread in the WallStreetBets sub-Reddit. The estimated short interest on the stock rose every session of the period covered, hitting the highest level since May 2020.

ATARA BIOTHERAPEUTICS, NEW YORK TIMES ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST DECLINES

Following last week’s peak, short interest in Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA) and New York Times (NYT) has retreated markedly, with a 50% decline to 23.6% in the former and 25% decline in the latter. Days to cover ratios in both names were down substantially – 57% for Atara and 27% for New York Times. Shares of Atara Biotherapeutics were up 2.7% in the five-day trading period covered while those of New York Times were down 1.7%.

NATIONAL BEVERAGE SHORT INTEREST DOWN MORE GRADUALLY

Short positioning in National Beverage (FIZZ) similarly retreated in the five-day trading period, falling the first four before a slight uptick on Thursday, even though the overall magnitude of the decline was less compelling. Estimated short interest came in to 23.9% from 26.7% while days-to-cover ratio slid by 8% to 1.5. Shares of National Beverage were up 4.8% in the five-day trading period covered.

GAMESTOP ESTIMATED SHORT INTEREST BOTTOMING

Estimated short interest and days-to-cover in GameStop (GME) plunged in the second half of January of this year, but both flattened over the first half of March and began to tick higher in the past few weeks. Short positioning rose to 28.0% of free float from 24.7% Shares of GameStop were down 3.4% in the five-day trading period covered.