Bears Circle Hertz, Chewy and Wolfspeed

Short sellers are pressing hard into a clutch of well-known names this week. Data from ORTEX as of August 6 highlights some eye-catching positions.

HTZ (Hertz) tops the mid/large-cap short table. Its SI % of FF hit 65.4%. Zero shares are available to borrow — a sign the trade is now deeply crowded. The stock has shed 62% over three months.

CHWY (Chewy) is another standout. Short interest sits at 102% of free float. Despite the extreme reading, availability remains ample at 392% — meaning new shorts can still get in. Bears are watching its upcoming earnings closely with options turning increasingly negative this week.

WOLF (Wolfspeed) carries 78.6% SI % of FF with zero shares left to borrow. The semiconductor firm has dropped 29% in three months. Analysts hold a negative average target price — a rare bearish consensus.

SOUN (SoundHound AI) shows 43.1% SI % of FF. Cost to borrow is 12.7%. Availability has run dry, making new short positions expensive to open.

Among the week's biggest movers, SMCI (Super Micro Computer) is cited in multiple high-impact news items around bearish options bets and earnings plays. Its SI % of FF stands at 17% — modest versus the names above, but options activity signals elevated fear ahead of results.

The week is earnings-heavy. Bears appear most active where high short interest collides with approaching catalysts.