This is a list of the ten most-hated shares on the London market, judged by the percentage of stock being shorted. Short sellers hope to profit from falling stock prices, so it can be useful to see what they are betting against.
The list is also a good indicator of stocks with the potential to bounce strongly on unexpected good news – ‘short squeezes’ occur when short sellers are forced out of their positions, which can send share prices surging.
Everyone still hates the supermarkets this month, while sentiment towards pubs group Greene King has soured further amid worries over integrating a recent acquisition and a law to remove the beer tie between tenants and pub companies. Construction group Carillion is a new entrant, dogged by weaker-than-expected sales.
| Share | Description | % of stock being shorted |
|---|---|---|
| J Sainsbury | Supermarket | 11.30% |
| Greene King | Pubs | 10.30% |
| Wm Morrison | Supermarket | 9.70% |
| WH Smith | Retailer | 9.20% |
| Serco Group | Outsourcing | 8.60% |
| Asos | Clothing retailer | 8.40% |
| Ashmore Group | EM specialist fund group | 8.30% |
| Nanoco Group | Nanotech/semiconductors | 7.20% |
| Ocado Group | Supermarket | 6.90% |
| Carillion | Construction/outsourcing | 6.60% |