The 10 Most Heavily Shorted ASX Stocks, Alongside the Week 34’s Biggest Gainners and Losers

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Short Seller Series: ASX Shorted Stocks Recap

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Short Seller Series, where we highlight the most significantly shorted stocks on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and any noteworthy fluctuations in short interest over the past week. The data is typically reported with a four-day delay due to the mandatory reporting framework, which commences three business days post-trade. This report contrasts short interest between the week ending 11 August and the preceding week, between 4 and 11 August, as well as month-on-month shifts since 14 July.

Most Shorted Stocks

Ticker Company Short % Week-on-Week Change Month-on-Month Change
BOE Boss Energy 19.83% +0.42% +5.51%
PDN Paladin Energy 18.15% +0.64% +1.26%
PLS Pilbara Minerals 15.08% +0.05% +1.26%
SLX Silex Systems 14.58% +3.04% +3.28%
IEL IDP Education 12.87% +0.45% +0.80%
LIC Lifestyle Communities 11.71% -0.02% +0.14%
MIN Mineral Resources 11.70% -0.64% -2.22%
PNV Polynovo 11.64% +0.10% +0.57%
LTR Liontown Resources 10.25% -2.89% -1.89%
CTD Corporate Travel Management 9.90% +1.02% -0.01%

Rising Short Positions

Ticker Company Short % Week-on-Week Change Month-on-Month Change
SLX Silex Systems 14.58% +3.04% +3.28%
BPT Beach Energy 5.23% +2.81% +1.88%
BRG Breville Group 6.13% +1.83% +0.27%
ILU Iluka Resources 8.01% +1.66% +3.70%
WBT Weebit Nano 4.47% +1.31% +1.32%
CTD Corporate Travel Management 9.90% +1.02% -0.01%
JHX James Hardie Industries 3.98% +1.02% -0.65%
LNW Light & Wonder 1.63% +1.02% +1.28%
IMU Imugene 3.22% +1.01% -1.88%
SGR The Star Entertainment Group 6.71% +1.00% +3.61%

Key Insights

  • Silex Systems is under intense short selling pressure following a $130 million capitalization raise, resulting in a significant discount. This funding aims to enhance its uranium enrichment technology via its exclusive licensee, Global Laser Enrichment.

  • Beach Energy saw its share prices plummet by 9.3% after lowering its forecasted EBITDA and NPAT for FY25, which was below market consensus. Analysts from Citi noted adverse portfolio conditions impacting future production forecasts.

  • Short interests have notably risen across various sectors in anticipation of the upcoming peak reporting season, with companies like Breville Group, Iluka Resources, and several mining firms such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa witnessing rising short positions.

Most Covered Stocks

Ticker Company Short % Week-on-Week Change Month-on-Month Change
LTR Liontown Resources 10.25% -2.89% -1.89%
SYR Syrah Resources 3.29% -1.92% -1.68%
OPT Opthea 2.14% -1.13% -1.24%
WC8 Wildcat Resources 0.60% -1.12% -1.29%
URW Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield 0.24% -1.10% -0.12%
ALK Alkane Resources 2.80% -0.87% -0.26%
NCK Nick Scali 4.38% -0.78% -1.31%
MIN Mineral Resources 11.70% -0.64% -2.22%
AMC Amcor 0.71% -0.56% -0.88%
CSC Capstone Copper Corp 0.64% -0.47% -0.20%

Summary

Liontown Resources showed resilience against short sellers, with a drop in short interest post-capital raise, despite the capital raised being at a discount. The stock’s favourable performance correlates with surging prices in lithium carbonate futures, indicating strong market demand.

This recap offers a comprehensive view of the ASX short selling landscape, illustrating both strengths and vulnerabilities among heavily targeted stocks in the last week. As the reporting season peaks, investors should monitor changes closely for strategic insights.

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