When Is Short Interest Reported and Where to Find It?

Short interest represents a valuable market indicator for investors. This metric offers a view into the collective sentiment regarding a company’s stock. This article clarifies the reporting schedule for this data, along with how to access and interpret the reported figures.

The Reporting Schedule

Short interest refers to the total number of shares of a security that have been sold short by investors but have not yet been repurchased or “covered.” This figure is collected and publicly disseminated on a bi-monthly basis. The data reflects positions outstanding as of specific cutoff dates.

Data for short interest is typically collected around the middle of each month and again at the end of each month. Specifically, the information is compiled based on positions outstanding on the 15th of the month and on the last business day of the month.

Following these cutoff dates, the collected data is then released to the public after a processing period. Exchanges and regulatory bodies release this information approximately eight to ten business days after each cutoff date. For instance, data from the mid-month cutoff would be released around the 25th of that month, while end-of-month data would be released around the 8th or 9th of the following month.

Organizations such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and major stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, are responsible for gathering and disseminating this market data. These entities collect the necessary information from brokerage firms and then compile it for public release. The specific reporting and release schedule is consistently maintained by these regulatory bodies and exchanges.

Sources for Short Interest Data

Investors can access reported short interest data through several official and widely recognized financial platforms. Major stock exchanges provide direct access to this information on their respective websites. For example, both Nasdaq.com and NYSE.com feature sections dedicated to market data, where short interest figures can be found by searching for a specific company’s ticker symbol.

FINRA, as a primary regulatory body, also makes short interest data available on its official website. This provides another reliable source for investors seeking the most current reported figures directly from a regulatory authority. These official sources ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data provided.

Beyond the official exchange and regulatory websites, numerous financial news outlets and data providers aggregate and present short interest information. Reputable platforms like Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, and various brokerage firm websites often display this data alongside other financial metrics for a given stock. These platforms offer convenient access.

Understanding the Reported Information

The reported short interest figure provides a historical “snapshot” of market sentiment rather than a real-time reflection of current trading activity. Consequently, the reported number represents the total short positions outstanding at a particular point in the past.

The reported figure includes short positions that have settled by the cutoff date. Stock trades typically settle two business days after the trade date (T+2).

Due to the bi-monthly reporting cycle and time lag, reported short interest does not capture the latest market movements or changes in short seller behavior. While it offers insight into past sentiment and positioning, it does not reflect any short covering or new shorting activity that occurred after the cutoff date. The data should be viewed as a historical indicator of bearish sentiment.

Short interest reports signify the total outstanding short positions for a given security as of the specified cutoff date. This metric indicates the level of investor belief that a stock’s price will decline. A higher short interest generally suggests a stronger collective bearish outlook on the company’s prospects.