30 Stocks Traders Are Shorting Like Crazy (SODA, SUNE, SPWR, TSLA, WUBA, JD, CVC, MNK, VEEV, JCP, HLF, THRX, X, INVN, SCTY, MNKD, GME, Z, UBNT, BBRY, QCOR, DDD, CLF, GTAT, ATHM, LULU, AFSI, ZU, MYGN)
<img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/543bc6edecad041803a743ee-1200-924/guns-quick-draw-firing-range-contest.jpg" alt="guns quick draw firing range contest" border="0">
Shorting stocks is risky.
Even when the market goes down, any stock can still go against you. And while the common truism that short sellers can only ever make 100% on a position isn't quite right, it takes a certain skill to find companies that might be hiding something from investors.
But this doesn't stop traders from taking their best shot.
Recently, we've seen a ton of volatility in the stock market, but all of the major stock indexes are still higher year-to-date.
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">However, we were still able to find 30 stocks with market caps over $2 billion that investors are still betting against like crazy.</span>
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">On the list, of course, is Herbalife, the company that hedge funder Bill Ackman has accused of being a pyramid scheme. </span>
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Also featured on the list is GoPro, the wearable camera company that went public in late June and has seen its stock just explode in the last several months.</span>
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The biggest theme of the list is Chinese internet companies. Alibaba may have been the marquee IPO of the year, but other internet-based companies out of China have been met with quite a bit of skepticism.</span>
We ranked the stocks by short interest as a percentage of shares outstanding, going from the least shorted to the most.
<h3>Air Methods</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b2f29f6bb3f7e03d603d73-400-300/air-methods.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: AIRM
Short interest: 23.4%
YTD return: -7.9%
Sector: Healthcare Services
Comment: In its most recent quarterly earnings report, the company reported revenue that increase 16% over the prior year to $258.5 million.
data from FinViz
<h3>Sunedison</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/54380206eab8eafe7ee5d675-400-300/sunedison.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: SUNE
Short interest: 24%
YTD return: 28%
Sector: Solar Energy
Comment: Sunedison, which makes solar panels and semiconductor materials, recently filed a confidential public offering for its yield vehicle focused on solar projects in Asia and Africa.
data from FinViz
<h3>Altisource Portfolio Solutions</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5438057a6bb3f729314e1bf2-400-300/altisource-portfolio-solutions.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: ASPS
Short interest: 24%
YTD return: -40%
Sector: Real Estate Services
Comment: The Luxembourg-based company provides debt collection services to mortgage lenders and is scheduled to report third quarter earnings on October 23.
data from FinViz
<h3>Generac Holdings</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54380582ecad04115d4e1bee-400-300/generac-holdings.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: GNRC
Short interest: 24.1%
YTD return: -29.8%
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Sector: Generators</span>
Comment: The generator manufacturer recently acquired MAC, Inc., which makes portable industrial heating units.
data from FinViz
<h3>Valmont Industries</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5438067decad042a684e1bf5-400-300/valmont-industries.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: VMI
Short interest: 24.3%
YTD Return: -10.8%
Sector: Infrastructure
Comment: On September 18, the company slashed its full-year earnings outlook to $8.70-$8.90 from $9.35-$9.65 citing project delays and a challenging pricing environment in certain areas of the market.
data from FinViz
<h3>Banco Santander-Chile</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5438072a6bb3f7cf3f4e1beb-400-300/banco-santander-chile.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: BSAC
Short interest: 25.4%
YTD return: -7%
Sector: Financials
Comment: Shares of Banco Santander-Chile have fallen steadily since the summer as the South American economy, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, has shown considerable weakness.
data from FinViz
<h3>U.S. Steel</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b31c0eecad047b3e48e9ec-400-300/us-steel.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: X
Short interest: 25.5%
YTD return: 14.2%
Sector: Basic Materials
Comment: In July, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.17, far outpacing expectations for a loss of $0.29. Following the report, shares rallied.
data from FinViz
<h3>SolarCity</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/543807f06da811c742a3eec7-400-300/solarcity.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: SCTY
Short interest: 25.8%
YTD return: -2.5%
Sector: Renewable Energy
Comment: On August 7, the solar company chaired by Elon Musk reported revenue that increased 62% from the prior year to $61.8 million.
data from FinViz
<h3>Cablevision</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5438004669bedd9a2d1a07b2-400-300/cablevision.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: CVC
Short interest: 26.2%
YTD return: -1.7%
Sector: Telecommunications
Comment: On August 5, the company announced that David Dibble, a former Yahoo executive, would join as chief technology officer.
data from FinViz
<h3>Veeva Systems</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53b46c216da811994de3ac7f-400-300/veeva-systems.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: VEEV
Short interest: 26.2%
YTD return: -19.5%
Sector: Healthcare Services
Comment: On August 28, the company reported revenue that grew 53% year-over-year with subscription-based revenues increasing 66%.
data from FinViz
<h3>Lululemon</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/54380984eab8ea4f2859960b-400-300/lululemon.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: LULU
Short interest: 26.5%
YTD return: -30.5%
Sector: Athletic Apparel
Comment: On September 11, the yoga apparel company reported same-store sales that fell 5%, while total revenue and earnings per share beat expectations. Shares of the company spiked on the news.
data from FinViz
<h3>Weibo</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/54380a96ecad04a96f4e1bed-400-300/weibo.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: WB
Short interest: 28.1%
YTD return: -14.1%
Sector: Social Media
Comment: Weibo is sometimes called the "Twitter for China" and is one of the many Chinese-internet companies that make this list.
data from FinViz
<h3>Conversant</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/54380f3feab8ea203659960e-400-300/conversant.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: CNVR
Short interest: 28.7%
YTD return: 45%
Sector: Advertising
Comment: Conversant is a digital marketing firm. On September 30, the company named Jim Rund chief revenue officer for its media business.
data from FinViz
<h3>J.C. Penney</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54381e806bb3f76c1d4e1bf1-400-300/jc-penney.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: JCP
Short interest: 29.7%
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">YTD return: -20</span>
Sector: Department Stores
Comment: J.C. Penney shares fell earlier this week after the company said at its first analyst day meeting in three years that sales in September were lower than expected.
data from FinViz
<h3>GameStop</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/537e5a2d6bb3f7d64491ea16-400-300/gamestop.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: GME
Short interest: 30%
YTD return: -21%
Sector: Retail
Comment: In September, GameStop announced that it plans to double its seasonal hires ahead of the Holiday season.
data from FinViz
<h3>Ubiquiti Networks</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b46e6f6da8113357e3ac7b-400-300/ubiquiti-networks.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: UBNT
Short interest: 30.2%
YTD return: -27%
Sector: Information Technology
Comment: Ubiquiti announced on September 30 that it will begin paying an annual dividend at the end of October.
data from FinViz
<h3>Zillow</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b1da6f69bedd7c0f8b456b-400-300/zillow.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: Z
Short interest: 30.5%
YTD return: 31%
Sector: Real Estate
Comment: Zillow and online real estate rival Trulia announced on July 28 that the two companies would merge as part of a $3.5 billion deal.
data from FinViz
<h3>Restoration Hardware</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/543820e769bedd87654e1bec-400-300/restoration-hardware.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: RH
Short interest: 30.6%
YTD return: 16.8%
Sector: Home Furnishings
Comment: The high-end home furnishing retailer reported Q2 revenue that grew 14% to $433.8 million and said it expects revenue for its fiscal-year ending in January to come in between $1.85-$1.87 bilion.
data from FinViz
<h3>JD.com</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53d1311decad04762f94df56-400-300/jdcom.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: JD
Short interest: 31.5%
Return since IPO: 20.3%
Sector: Online Retail
Comment: JD.com went public in May, and on its first day of trading, the stock rose 15%.
data from FinViz
<h3>BlackBerry</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5438219d69bedd5d6f4e1beb-400-300/blackberry.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: BBRY
Short interest: 31.8%
YTD return: 24%
Sector: Technology
Comment: BlackBerry announced a new Porsche-branded smartphone in September, and while no pricing announcement was made, Business Insider's Stephen Tweedie noted that past Porsche-branded models have cost around $2,000.
data from FinViz
<h3>Autohome</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b4570aeab8ea3f2433181e-400-300/autohome.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: ATHM
Short interest: 33.6%
YTD return: 10%
Sector: Auto Dealers
Comment: Autohome, which sells cars online in China, announced second quarter revenue in August that rose 71% from the prior year.
data from FinViz
<h3>Herbalife</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51641ce169beddd82700000f-400-300/herbalife.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: HLF
Short interest: 33.8%
YTD return: -42%
Sector: Consumer Goods
Comment: Herbalife is Bill Ackman's most famous short, and has been part of the reason why his Pershing Square hedge fund has had a huge year.
data from FinViz
<h3>3D Systems</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/543822c269bedd23704e1beb-400-300/3d-systems.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: DDD
Short interest: 34.2%
YTD return: -57%
Sector: 3D Printing
Comment: 3D Systems went crazy in 2013, gaining more than 170%. In January, hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson said the stock could tumble 90%: its more than halfway there.
data from FinViz
<h3>Zulily</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53b468df6da811fe3fe3ac79-400-300/zulily.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: ZU
Short interest: 34.2%
YTD return: -13%
Sector: Online Retail
Comment: Zulily is a daily deals site for moms, and in early August posted second quarter revenue that rose 97% year-over-year while raising its full-year revenue outlook to $1.2-$1.225 billion.
data from FinViz
<h3>Jumei International</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53d1321a6da8110632e6ede7-400-300/jumei-international.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: JMEI
Short interest: 39.5%
Return since IPO: 2%
Sector: Consumer Products
Comment: Jumei, which is a China-based online retailer of beauty products, made its debut on the NYSE on May 16.
data from FinViz
<h3>GoPro</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/54382402eab8ead513599611-400-300/gopro.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: GPRO
Short interest: 41.3%
Return since IPO: 175%
Sector: Consumer Electronics
Comment: The wearable camera company has been the best performing IPO this year and one of the most controversial stocks in the market over the last several months.
data from FinViz
<h3>Amtrust Financial Systems</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53b46f1b6bb3f7fa4c8c2a59-400-300/amtrust-financial-systems.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: AFSI
Short interest: 43%
YTD return: 31%
Sector: Insurance
Comment: Amtrust Financial has increased gross written insurance premiums 36% each year over the past five, but The Motley Fool recently asked if the company can sustain its growth.
data from FinViz
<h3>Myriad Genetics</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53b1dc3f69beddda1e8b4567-400-300/myriad-genetics.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: MYGN
Short interest: 48.1%
YTD return: 81%
Sector: Biopharmaceuticals
Comment: Myriad, a molecular diagnostics company, reported fourth quarter revenue in August that was up about 8% from the prior year.
data from FinViz
<h3>Cheetah Mobile</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/543826806bb3f7173f4e1bec-400-300/cheetah-mobile.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: CMCM
Short interest: 48.1%
Return since IPO: 19%
Sector: Mobile Software
Comment: The Chinese mobile software company, which went public in May, most recently reported revenue that rose 139% year-over-year as moile revenue gained more than 1,000%.
data from FinViz
<h3>58.com</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53d131c469bedd2d2d5d7583-400-300/58com.jpg" alt="" />
Ticker: WUBA
Short interest: 54%
YTD Return: -6%
Comment: 58.com, which operates an online local merchant marketplace in China, reported second quarter revenue that grew 84% from a year ago on gross margins of 94.7%
data from FinViz
<h3>Now that you've seen what traders are betting against...</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/543827d469bedd3f094e1beb-400-300/now-that-youve-seen-what-traders-are-betting-against.jpg" alt="" />
<h1> </h1>
<h1> Morgan Stanley: Here Are 42 Stocks That Will Thrive In Any Economy » </h1>
<b>See Also:</b>
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