Short Stocks: Bets build against financials, biotech

NEW YORK, May 11 (Reuters) - Short interest fell in late
April on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, the
exchanges said in their twice-monthly reports released on
Monday, suggesting a slight decrease in bearish sentiment.

The following list shows stocks that saw increased interest
from short sellers, who bet that a certain stock's price will
fall, and key recent news events for those stocks. The data
reflect short trades with a settlement date of April 30.

For full story please see [ID:nN11193838]. For factbox
please see [ID:nN11475195] [ID:nN11183039].

STARBUCKS CORP (SBUX.O)

Short interest rose more than 25 percent in shares of the
world's largest coffee chain between mid-April and late April.

On April 29, the company posted a quarterly profit that
topped expectations on cost cuts and is planning a multimillion
dollar advertising campaign to challenge the view that its
coffee is an expensive luxury. [ID:nN29448457]

About 37.9 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 5 percent of its total shares outstanding.

REGIONS FINANCIAL CORP (RF.N)

Short interest rose 36.5 percent in shares of the U.S.
regional bank.

The Birmingham, Alabama-based bank emerged from the
government stress tests in need of a $2.5 billion increase in
its capital cushion. [ID:nN08502760] [ID:nN07388962]

About 47.9 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 7 percent of its total shares outstanding.

AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP (ABK.N)

Short interest rose in shares of the bond insurer.

The company, which has struggled since losing top ratings,
said on Monday it had delayed the launch of a separate
municipal bond arm, but reported a smaller first-quarter loss
linked to an accounting gaim.

About 41.4 million of the company's shares were held short,
or more than 14 percent of its shares outstanding.

BJ SERVICES CO (BJS.N)

Short interest rose 71.5 percent in shares of the oil field
services company.

Last week, Venezuelan soldiers took control of boatyards
and other assets belonging to oil services companies in the
latest step by socialist President Hugo Chavez to tighten his
grip on the industry. The company does business in Venezuela.
[ID:nN07390687]

About 28.9 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 10 percent of its total shares outstanding.

CELL GENESYS CEGE.O

Short interest rose almost 44 percent in shares of the
biotechnology company.

Cell Genesys said on April 30 that it is continuing to
pursue strategic alternatives and reported a first quarter loss
of 10 cents a share. [ID:nWNAB1183]

About 7.4 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 8.5 percent of its total shares outstanding.

DISCOVERY LABORATORIES INC (DSCO.O)

Short interest rose more than 46 percent in shares of the
drug maker.

The company said on April 20 that U.S. health regulators
declined to approve the marketing application for its drug to
treat respiratory illness in infants. [ID:nBNG445146]

About 5.3 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 4.4 percent of its total shares outstanding.

(Reporting by Emily Chasan)