Bears Pile Into MiniMed, Talen Energy as Squeeze Watch Eyes Groupon

Short sellers moved aggressively into MMED this week. The medical device company saw its short interest jump to 91% of free float from 74.5% just seven days ago. That is a 16.5 percentage point rise. The ORTEX short score sits at 93.6, one of the highest readings across the market. Shares borrowed are now almost equal to the entire tradeable float. Cost to borrow stands at 29.3%.

TLN, the nuclear power generator Talen Energy, also drew fresh bearish attention. Its SI % of free float rose from 6.6% to 11.9% over the same period. The doubling of short positioning is notable given the broader energy backdrop. ORTEX alt data shows a Southern Company nuclear reactor recorded output 10 standard deviations below its own history in early September, an unusual signal for the sector.

On the squeeze watch side, GRPN still carries 69.6% short interest. Bears have trimmed slightly over the past week. The borrow market appears to be loosening, according to recent ORTEX data. Days to cover sits near 9. That combination could make the stock volatile on any positive catalyst.

GAP also crept up the leaderboard, rising from 12.6% to 15.2% SI % of free float in seven days. European petrol car registrations hit a record September low of 5,821 vehicles this month. That macro backdrop may be influencing bears betting against retail and consumer names.

WOLF holds 81.5% SI % of free float. Days to cover is above 11. Shares available to borrow have fallen to near zero. Wolfspeed remains one of the most structurally pressured stocks in the semiconductor space.