PortWhat Is Short Selling?
A transaction that profits from a falling share price, based on selling borrowed shares.
Explanation
An investor borrows shares, sells them, and later buys them back—expecting a lower price. The percentage of shares sold short is reported as a percentage of the shares available for trading.
A high percentage of short interest is often interpreted in two ways: either as a signal that major players anticipate a decline, or as fuel for a sharp price increase when positive news forces them to quickly cover their positions.
Example
When 15% of a company's shares are sold short, a positive earnings report can trigger a price movement amplified by the covering of these positions.
Related Terms
See Live Short Interest Data
Portevo displays this and dozens of other metrics for specific companies, along with an earnings calendar and your portfolio.
Portevo is not an investment advisor. The data and analyses are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell financial instruments. Quotes are from external providers and may be delayed. You make investment decisions at your own risk.
Your entire portfolio, company earnings, and insider trades in one place
Upload your XTB report or add companies manually — Portevo will calculate your net profit after costs, show you the earnings dates for your companies, and display insider faces on charts.
- Portfolio with Net Profit After Costs
- Earnings Calendar for Your Companies
- Pelosi, Trump, and CEO Trades on a Chart
- Works in Browser and on iPhone
No credit card required. A demo portfolio is available immediately; create your own by uploading a report.
