This is a list of the ten most-hated shares on the London market, judged by the percentage of stock being shorted. Short sellers hope to profit from falling stock prices, so it can be useful to see what they are betting against.
The list is also a good indicator of stocks with the potential to bounce strongly on unexpected good news 'short squeezes' occur when short sellers are forced out of their positions, which can send share prices surging.
Everyone still hates the supermarkets this month, while sentiment towards pubs group Greene King has soured further amid worries over integrating a recent acquisition and a law to remove the beer tie between tenants and pub companies. Construction group Carillion is a new entrant, dogged by weaker-than-expected sales.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
| J Sainsbury | Supermarket | 11.30% |
| Greene King | Pubs | 10.30% |
| Wm Morrison | Supermarket | 9.70% |
| WH Smith | Retailer | 9.20% |
| Serco Group | Outsourcing | 8.60% |
| Asos | Clothing retailer | 8.40% |
| Ashmore Group | EM specialist fund group | 8.30% |
| Nanoco Group | Nanotech/semiconductors | 7.20% |
| Ocado Group | Supermarket | 6.90% |
| Carillion | Construction/outsourcing | 6.60% |
-
What happens if you can’t pay your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?Millions are due to file their tax return this Friday as the self-assessment deadline closes. Though the nightmare is not over until you pay the taxman what you owe - or face a penalty. But what happens if you can't afford to pay HMRC your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?
-
What does Rachel Reeves’s plan for growth mean for UK investors?Rachel Reeves says she is going “further and faster” to kickstart the UK economy, but investors are unlikely to be persuaded
