Here is the weekly recap of short interest trends among some of the most widely followed high-short-float stocks. 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 flat, the Russell 2000 index was flat, the Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) was up 1.2%, and the Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) was down 1.5% in the period range.

THE NEW YORK TIMES SHORT INTEREST DOUBLES TO THREE-MONTH HIGH

Estimated short interest in The New York Times (NYT) had tracked below 20% following its April spike for much of June, but has started to increase markedly yet again. In the holiday-shortened Tuesday-Thursday range, the short position more than doubled from 12% to 30% and for the week the short interest was up 16 percentage points. Likewise, the days-to-cover ratio in the stock more than doubled to 4.6 from 2.1. Shares of The New York Times were down 4.0% in the four-day trading period covered.

SECOND SIGHT SHORT INTEREST ELEVATES TO FOUR-MONTH HIGH

Estimated short interest in Second Sight (EYES) was up three percentage points for the week to 14.1% after rising as high as 15.3% - the highest short position in the stock since early March when it peaked at just over 16%. Days-to-cover ratio on Second Sight is up 67% to 1.0, with the stock now having reversed nearly all of its March-spike gains. Shares of Second Sight were down 11.8% in the four-day trading period covered.

VIRGIN GALACTIC SHORT INTEREST BOUNCES FROM THREE-MONTH LOW

Volume and volatility in Virgin Galactic (SPCE) shares are up noticeably since the recent developments around the FAA approval for a full commercial launch license and the company’s subsequent announcement that Sir Richard Branson will be joining the crew on its first trip to space. Fluctuations in short activity have also become more pronounced after a relatively muted June period. Earlier this week, the estimated short position had bottomed around a three-month low, but a subsequent four-point increase on Wednesday and Thursday has brought the four-day change to 20.9% - up three points overall. Shares of Virgin Galactic were up 22% in the four-day trading period covered before sliding by over 6% on Friday.

FUNKO SHORT INTEREST COLLAPSES FROM MULTI-YEAR HIGH

Estimated short interest in Funko (FNKO) had hit a multi-year high above 100% late last week but has since returned to a more normalized level. For the week, the short position on the stock was down 73 percentage points to 27%, while the days-to-cover ratio was cut by two-thirds to 1.1. Shares of Funko were down 6.5% in the four-day trading period covered.

SLIDING SHORT INTEREST IN FISKER AND STITCH FIX ROUNDS OUT DECLINERS

Fisker (FSR) and Stitch Fix (SFIX) round out our Ortex-driven screen for some of the larger changes in positioning, with estimated short interest in both declining notably. Fisker short position was down seven percentage points at 34.2% and days-to-cover was off by 16% at 2.2, while that of Stitch Fix was down by five percentage points to 10.7% and days-to-cover off by 31% to 1.9. Fisker traded down 7.7% and Stitch Fix was off by 6.3% in the four-day trading period covered.