CORRECTED - Short Stocks: Bets build against BofA, Ambac, Coke
(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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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)
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