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Short Selling Snapshot: ASX’s Heavily Shorted Stocks
In this edition of our Short Seller Series, we focus on the latest short selling trends on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The data presented here reflects the conditions as of 28 April 2025, with short selling reports being four days behind transactions due to the mandatory reporting timeframe.
Overview of Short Selling Changes
This report examines:
- Week-on-week changes from 16 to 28 April 2025.
- Month-on-month changes from 24 March to 29 April 2025.
- Stocks with significant short interest changes, specifically those showing a shift of 0.5% or more.
Currently Most Shorted Stocks on ASX
Here’s a breakdown of the most heavily shorted stocks:
| Ticker | Company | Short % | Week-on-Week | Month-on-Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOE | Boss Energy | 25.63% | -0.09% | 0.86% |
| PDN | Paladin Energy | 16.40% | -0.53% | 0.90% |
| MIN | Mineral Resources | 13.45% | 0.13% | 0.66% |
| DYL | Deep Yellow | 12.50% | -0.48% | -0.72% |
| PLS | Pilbara Minerals | 11.93% | -0.05% | -1.27% |
| LTR | Liontown Resources | 11.92% | -0.28% | 1.26% |
| IEL | Idp Education | 11.68% | -0.92% | -0.66% |
| LOT | Lotus Resources | 10.37% | -0.64% | 0.58% |
| LIC | Lifestyle Communities | 10.30% | -0.10% | 0.14% |
| PNV | Polynovo | 10.16% | -0.05% | 1.25% |
Summary of Trends
- Short Interest Easing: Overall, there’s a slight reduction in short interest across the board among the most shorted stocks this week.
- Significant Decline in IDP: Idp Education saw the largest weekly drop in short interest despite its stock jumping 17% between 24 April and 5 May, indicating traders are reassessing their positions.
Stocks with Rising Short Interest
The following stocks have observed an increase in short selling:
| Ticker | Company | Short % | Week-on-Week | Month-on-Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MYX | Mayne Pharma Group | 2.91% | 1.84% | 2.44% |
| CU6 | Clarity Pharmaceuticals | 7.85% | 1.30% | 3.48% |
| TWE | Treasury Wine Estates | 7.10% | 0.69% | -0.05% |
| MVF | Monash IVF Group | 1.27% | 0.52% | 0.85% |
Key Insights
- Mayne Pharma’s Intriguing Position: Despite having established a scheme implementation deed with Cosette Pharmaceuticals at $7.40 per share, Mayne Pharma’s stock has recently dipped and hovers around $7.00. The uptick in short interest before the deal’s finalisation has raised eyebrows, suggesting market uncertainty regarding the transaction’s success.
Most Covered Stocks
Here’s a look at the stocks with notable short covering activity:
| Ticker | Company | Short % | Week-on-Week | Month-on-Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRN | Brainchip Holdings | 1.62% | -1.56% | -1.75% |
| IEL | Idp Education | 11.68% | -0.92% | -0.66% |
| GMD | Genesis Minerals | 6.10% | -0.66% | -1.03% |
| LOT | Lotus Resources | 10.37% | -0.64% | 0.58% |
| BMN | Bannerman Energy | 7.78% | -0.63% | 0.01% |
| FLT | Flight Centre Travel | 5.31% | -0.59% | -0.41% |
| SGR | The Star Entertainment | 8.21% | -0.59% | -1.00% |
| PDN | Paladin Energy | 16.40% | -0.53% | 0.90% |
| DRO | Droneshield | 4.78% | -0.51% | -0.70% |
Observations
- Market Movements: The market saw significant short covering among speculative stocks, including Brainchip and The Star, often responding to broader market trends.
- Revitalised Interest in Paladin: Following a robust recovery of over 53% since its April 9 low, Paladin has been one of the major beneficiaries of this short covering trend, along with Flight Centre, which has also shown resilience despite downgrades in earnings forecasts.
In summary, this analysis emphasises notable shifts in short interest and covers crucial updates on specific stocks that are actively traded on the ASX. Observing these trends can provide valuable insights for investors navigating the complexities of the market.
