Short sellers made bold moves this week. Three names stand out for speed and scale of change.
Hertz tops the movers list. Its SI % of Free Float hit 75%, up nearly 5 points in seven days. Shares to borrow are essentially gone — availability sits at zero. That's a dangerous setup for shorts if any positive catalyst emerges.
Chewy also drew heavy new bets. SI climbed to 72.4%, adding 5.8 points week-on-week. The pet retailer faces earnings pressure this week, and options markets are bracing for a jolt. Availability remains ample at 472%, so bears can still get in.
The wildcard is Columbia Financial. Its SI surged from 5.3% to 27.6% in a single week — a +22 point spike. That's the biggest jump among mid-cap US names. Worth watching closely.
In the semiconductor space, Wolfspeed holds an extreme position at 80% SI % FF, with zero shares left to borrow. Its cost to borrow spiked recently. The stock is up 162% in three months, creating a short squeeze threat.
Microsoft reports Tuesday. Its cost to borrow doubled in a month — a subtle signal that short sellers are quietly building positions ahead of the print.
SpaceX (SPCX) also saw SI rise +4 points to 31.7% this week, reflecting growing scepticism about its recent valuation.
Data as of July 23, 2026. This is not financial advice.
ORTEX Market Intelligence content is generated by AI from a snapshot of ORTEX's proprietary data. Content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice.
