Mar. 27, 2008 – Bespoke Investment Group – Recently released short interest figures from both the NYSE and Nasdaq show that short interest as a percentage of float is currently at record levels.  On the NYSE, the mid-month short interest report hit a level of 4.15%, which is record high.  On the S&P 500, short interest is even higher.  As of mid March, 5.4% of the float of S&P 500 listed companies were sold short.  This represents an increase of 53% over the last year!  

On a sector by sector basis, short interest also remains at elevated levels.