FACTBOX-Biggest changes in NYSE short interest

Jan 12 (Reuters) - Short interest on the New York Stock Exchange fell 2.2
percent in late December, the exchange said on Monday, reflecting a decrease in
bearish sentiment. For story, please see [ID:nN12388048].

Below are the five NYSE stocks that experienced the largest increases and
decreases in their short positions from mid-December to late-December,
according to the exchange.

The five companies with the largest overall short positions are also
listed.

The latest date is as of Dec. 31, 2008, while the previous period's data is
as of Dec. 15, 2008.
COMPANY DEC. 31 DEC. 15 NET CHANGE PCT CHANGE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIVE BIGGEST INCREASES:
General Electric Co (GE.N) 154,959,753 106,448,401 48,511,352 45.57%
Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) 75,976,415 59,113,208 16,863,207 28.53%
Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) 144,378,136 132,188,441 12,189,695 9.22%
Halliburton Co (HAL.N) 37,371,212 28,090,834 9,280,378 33.04%
Bank of America Corp (BAC.N)114,333,185 105,445,845 8,887,340 8.43%
FIVE BIGGEST DECREASES:
Mitsubishi UFJ Fin Gr (MTU.N) 2,532,228 23,248,509 -20,716,281 -89.11%
Fleetwood Enterprises FLE.N 3,911,598 20,304,643 -16,393,045 -80.74%
Cia Vale do Rio Doce RIO.N 31,331,687 40,447,002 -9,115,315 -22.54%
Macy's Inc (M.N) 31,288,964 40,202,045 -8,913,081 -22.17%
Chico's FAS Inc (CHS.N) 15,578,025 22,688,696 -7,110,671 -31.34%
FIVE BIGGEST POSITIONS:
Ford Motor Co (F.N) 269,492,967 268,555,780 937,187 0.35%
General Electric Co (GE.N) 154,959,753 106,448,401 48,511,352 45.57%
Citigroup Inc (C.N) 149,115,900 142,647,157 6,468,743 4.53%
Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) 144,378,136 132,188,441 12,189,695 9.22%
AIG (AIG.N) 136,611,069 135,570,047 1,041,022 0.77%

Source: NYSE data as of Dec. 31, 2008, Reuters Estimates
(Reporting by Phil Wahba)