FACTBOX: Biggest changes in NYSE short interest

(Reuters) - Short interest on the New York Stock Exchange fell 13.4 percent in late September, the exchange said on Thursday, reflecting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ban on short selling of financial stocks.

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

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

The latest data is as of Sept 30, while the previous period's data is as of Sept 15. Company Sept 30 Sept 15 Net Change Pct Change

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FIVE BIGGEST INCREASES: Sprint Nextel 106,155,743 84,829,461 21,326,282 25.14% Wendy's/Arby's 21,446,964 1,582,052 19,864,912 1255.64% Boston Scientific 41,408,907 28,211,744 13,197,163 46.78% Chesapeake Energy 36,712,985 28,248,703 8,464,282 29.96% Office Depot 25,479,886 17,038,121 8,441,765 49.55%

FIVE BIGGEST DECREASES: Fannie Mae 67,085,117 163,468,911 -96,383,794 -58.96% Freddie Mac 70,555,729 142,087,613 -71,531,884 -50.34% Wachovia 199,647,343 267,577,010 -67,929,667 -25.39% MetLife 16,326,795 72,710,400 -56,383,605 -77.55% Wells Fargo 126,370,155 174,933,819 -48,563,664 -27.76%

FIVE BIGGEST POSITIONS: Ford Motor 273,068,537 304,652,812 -31,584,275 -10.37% Wachovia 199,647,343 267,577,010 -67,929,667 -25.39% National City 149,166,364 172,780,343 -23,613,979 -13.67% Wells Fargo 126,370,155 174,933,819 -48,563,664 -27.76% Citigroup 123,308,720 138,774,999 -15,466,279 -11.14%

Source: NYSE data as of Sept 30, Reuters Estimates

(Reporting by Phil Wahba)