Short Stocks: Bets build against Citadel, Freddie & Fannie

NEW YORK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Short interest on the New York
Stock Exchange jumped 4.8 percent in mid-February, the exchange
said on Friday, touching an all-time high and suggesting an
increase in bearish sentiment in the stock market.

The following stocks saw increased interest from short
sellers, who bet that a certain stock's price will fall. The
data reflect short trades with a settlement date of Feb. 15.

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CITADEL BROADCASTING CORP (CDL.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest climbed more than 65 percent in shares of
the radio broadcaster.

The company said in December it was looking to divest
certain assets and late last month its chief financial officer
resigned.

About 27.4 million of the company's shares were held short,
or more than 10 percent of its total shares outstanding.

FREDDIE MAC (FRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

FANNIE MAE (FNM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest jumped more than 32 percent in shares of
Freddie and rose more than 20 percent in shares of Fannie.

Wall Street has grown increasingly worried about the
earnings of both government-sponsored enterprises on worries
about deterioration in the credit markets and uncertainty about
the impact of their risk exposure.

About 40.1 million of Freddie's shares were held short, or
about 6 percent of its shares outstanding. About 51.8 million
of Fannie's shares were held short, or about 5.3 percent of its
shares outstanding.

WACHOVIA CORP (WB.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest jumped more than 20 percent in shares of the
Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank.

The company has been hurt by rising credit losses and
write-downs tied to subprime and other mortgages.

About 96.8 million of the company's shares were held short,
or close to 5 percent of its shares outstanding.

CALPINE CORP (CPN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest soared by more than 30 million shares in the
power company's stock, compared to just over 40,000 in late
January, according to the exchange.

The company, which exited bankruptcy protection in January,
began regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange this
month.

About 30.9 million of the company's shares were held short.

AT&T INC (T.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest rose more than 23 percent in shares of the
telephone company.

The Telecommunications Industry Association said on Friday
that the U.S. telecommunications industry will grow at a slower
rate than the global industry in the coming years. Analysts at
Credit Suisse cut their rating on the phone company this month,
while analysts at UBS cut their price target on the stock.

About 50 million of the company's shares were held short,
or almost 1 percent of its total shares outstanding.

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC (AIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest was up more than 30 percent in shares of the
insurer.

This month, the company disclosed potential losses of up to
$5 billion in its derivatives portfolio.

About 37.4 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 1.5 percent of its shares outstanding.

MGM MIRAGE (MGM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest jumped more than 72 percent in shares of the
casino operator.

The company's chief financial officer said this week that
it expects first-quarter hotel revenue to be slightly lower
than it was in the year-earlier quarter.

About 19 million of the company's shares were held short,
or almost 11 percent of its total shares outstanding.

NEW YORK TIMES CO (NYT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)

Short interest was up almost 29 percent in shares of the
newspaper publisher.

The company said this month that it would eliminate 100
newsroom jobs as it girds for a weaker economy and an overall
decline in print advertising and circulation revenue.

About 31.9 million of the company's shares were held
short, or about 22 percent of its total shares outstanding.
(Reporting by Emily Chasan; Editing by Gary Hill)