(Corrects section on Coca-Cola to remove information that does
not apply to the company)
CHICAGO, July 24 (Reuters) - Short interest jumped 7
percent on the Nasdaq in mid-July and rose 2.7 percent on the
New York Stock Exchange to a fresh all-time high, as investors
continued to make bearish bets on 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 July 15.
For full story please see [ID:nN24488624]. For factboxes
please see [ID:nN24355422] and [ID:nN24327377].
BANK OF AMERICA CORP (BAC.N)
Short interest rose almost 32 percent in the largest U.S.
retail bank.
The bank's rising credit losses led to a 41 percent decline
in profit in the second quarter.
About 133.8 million of the company's shares were held
short, or about 3 percent of its total shares outstanding.
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP (ABK.N)
Short interest rose almost 34 percent in shares of the bond
insurer.
The company lost its top credit rating from both Moody's
Investors Service and Standard & Poor's last month.
About 99.3 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 35 percent of its total shares outstanding.
COCA-COLA CO (KO.N)
Short interest rose almost 70 percent in shares of the
beverage maker.
The weakening U.S. economy has taken a toll on the company.
About 30.7 million of the company's shares were held short,
or just over 1 percent of its total shares outstanding.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORP (PCU.N)
Short interest more than tripled in shares of the copper
producer.
A strike had been planned to start on Monday at the
company's Peruvian mine Cuajone, but was temporarily suspended
pending mediation. The company has been hit by strikes this
year in Peru as workers demand a larger slice of the benefits
of the country's economic boom.
About 21.9 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 10 percent of its shares that are owned publicly and
available for trading.
UAL CORP (UAUA.O)
Short interest rose almost 57 percent in shares of the
parent of United Airlines.
The company posted a second-quarter loss this week of $2.7
billion, hit by skyrocketing fuel costs that have forced
layoffs and capacity cuts.
About 31.3 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 26 percent of its total shares outstanding.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP (FITB.O)
Short interest rose almost 21 percent in shares of the
large U.S. Midwest bank.
The company posted a second-quarter loss this week, due to
rising charges related to the tax treatment of leveraged leases
and higher credit costs.
About 46.3 million of the company's shares were held short,
or about 9 percent of its total shares outstanding.
(Reporting by Emily Chasan; Editing by Braden Reddall)
