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Identifying Potential Short Squeeze Opportunities on the NYSE

Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve shorted a stock, only to witness a sudden surge, leading to an immediate scramble to close your position?

What occurred is commonly referred to as a Short Squeeze. Even veteran traders have encountered this event. Yet, do they truly grasp what happened?

A short squeeze occurs when a heavily shorted stock experiences a significant surge in buying volume, prompting short sellers to close their positions, thus driving prices higher due to the resulting covers.

Shorting a stock involves aiming to profit from its price decline. Essentially, you borrow shares, sell them, and later repurchase them ideally at a lower price to return. This process occurs electronically, so you won’t physically witness the borrowing and returning; instead, it reflects as a negative share count on your screen.

Short sellers can see profits, but when a stock starts to move against them, rising in value, they often rush to buy shares to close their positions, resulting in a short squeeze. This rapid increase in share prices during a short squeeze can be triggered by any positive news.

Finding a stock for a short squeeze involves identifying certain characteristics that make it a potential candidate:

Look for stocks with high short interest ratios (the ratio of shares sold short compared to shares available for trading), as these indicate a large number of investors betting against the stock.

Additionally, consider stocks with low float (the number of shares available for trading), as a smaller float can exacerbate price movements, especially if demand suddenly increases.

Lastly, monitor stocks with upcoming catalysts such as earnings reports or significant news announcements, as positive developments can trigger short squeezes by prompting short sellers to cover their positions quickly.

Some traders capitalize on this scenario by seeking out stocks with potential for a short squeeze. Below, you’ll find further elaboration on the information provided above:

Short Percentage of Float indicates the portion of shares held short divided by the total float, representing freely tradable shares. A short percentage exceeding 10% to 20% is often seen as high and may suggest potential opportunities for short squeezes.

The Short Ratio, also referred to as Days to Cover or Short Interest Ratio, is a critical measure for identifying potential short squeeze opportunities. It signifies the number of days it would take for short sellers to repurchase their positions based on the average daily trading volume of shares. This ratio is significant because it reveals the challenge short sellers encounter in covering their positions without significantly impacting the stock price. A higher number of days to cover implies a more prolonged squeeze, amplifying potential losses for short sellers.

Short Percentage Increase denotes the percentage rise in the number of short sellers compared to the previous month.

The following are some heavily shorted NYSE stocks that may be worth considering for a short squeeze.

Company	Company Symbol	Short Interest	Short % Change	Short Interest Ratio
Kohl’s Corporation	KSS	33.39%	3%	6.9
Guess?, Inc.	GES	32.34%	4%	6.7
C3.ai Inc	AI	31.85%	1%	4.7
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc	SPCE	29.18%	11%	7.5
ChargePoint Holdings Inc	CHPT	28.58%	-2%	7.9
Carvana Co	CVNA	28.54%	-4%	4.2
Big Lots, Inc.	BIG	28.37%	6%	5.1

The first stock on the list, Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) has over 33% of its float shorted, an increase of 3% over last month. The short interest ratio is 6.9, which means that it would take the short sellers over six days to cover their position, based on recent average volume.

The second stock on the list, Guess?, Inc. (GES) has over 32% of its float shorted, an increase of 4% over last month. The short interest ratio is 6.7, which means that it would take the short sellers under seven days to cover their position, based on recent average volume.

An interesting stock on the list, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. (SPCE) has over 29% of its float shorted, a large increase of 11% over last month. The short interest ratio is 7.5, which means that it would take the short sellers just over a week to cover their position, based on recent average volume.

While a stock might display promising ratios and draw considerable short interest, it’s essential to understand that these indicators alone don’t assure an upward price movement, especially in a bear market. Moreover, elevated levels of short interest in a stock may indicate underlying issues or concerns that have led investors to take positions against its performance.

Disclosure: Author had no positions in any of the above at the time the article was written.

4 Stocks Paying Over 5% Selling Below Book Value

by Fred Fuld III

Yes, it’s possible to get a yield of over 5% from a money market fund, but maybe you want a high yield but you also want some capital appreciation potential.

Of course, if you are concerned about your principal, then you should probably stick with the money fund.

But if you want growth, there are four stocks worth looking at that yield in excess of 5%, are selling below book value, and have a market cap over $2 billion.

Book value, in simple terms, reflects what a company’s assets would be worth if it sold everything and paid off its debts today. It is similar to the net worth on a personal balance sheet, but for a business. It’s calculated by subtracting liabilities from total assets. While it offers a snapshot of financial health, it doesn’t capture intangible assets like brand value or future growth potential, which can often influence market value.

Kohl’s Corp. (KSS), the operator of family-oriented department stores, has a market cap of $3 billion.

The trailing yield is 7.42% and the estimated forward yield is 8.03%.

Kohl’s is an omnichannel retailer, operating over 1,100 physical stores and a robust online presence. They mainly focus on apparel, footwear, and home goods for families, offering both national brands and their own exclusive lines. Kohl’s is known for its frequent discounts and rewards programs, aiming to provide an affordable and convenient shopping experience.

The stock is trading at 80% of book value, and has a very favorable price to sales ratio of 0.17. (Remember, a P/S ratio of below 1 is great, and above 2 is not so good.)

The forward price to earnings ratio is 10.2.

Newell Brands, Inc. (NWL) makes, markets, and sells of consumer and commercial products. This $2.84 billion company has a 6.42 % trailing yield and a 5.27% forward yield. The drop is due to a large reduction in the dividend payout back in May of 2023.

Newell Brands is a leading consumer goods company that owns and operates a portfolio of iconic brands you likely recognize. Think everyday items like:

Writing instruments: Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Parker®, etc.
Storage and organization: Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, Sistema®, etc.
Appliances and cookware: Oster®, Mr. Coffee®, Calphalon®, etc.
Outdoor gear: Coleman®, Campingaz®, Marmot®, etc.
Baby and parenting products: Graco®, NUK®, Baby Jogger®, etc.
Art supplies: Elmer’s®, Prismacolor®, EXPO®, etc.
Fragrances: Yankee Candle®, WoodWick®, Chesapeake Bay Candle®, etc.

They sell these products through various channels, including retail stores, distributors, and their own online platforms.

The stock sells at 91% of book value and has a favorable P/S ratio of 0.35. The forward P/E is 8.01.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA), the provider of healthcare and retail pharmacy services, has a market cap of over $19 billion.

After a dividend drop, the stock still has a forward dividend yield of 6.83%.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is a global leader in retail pharmacy and healthcare, serving millions daily with a 170-year heritage. Their business operates across two main segments:

Retail Pharmacies:

Over 12,500 locations in the US, Europe, and Latin America under brands like Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, and Benavides.
Dispensing medications and offering a wide range of health services like vaccinations, immunizations, and health screenings.
Selling health and beauty products alongside other convenience items.

Pharmaceutical Wholesale:

Alliance Healthcare distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers globally.

Key Points:

* Large footprint: Over 330,000 employees and presence in eight countries.
* Integrated healthcare: Combines pharmacy, retail, and wholesale operations for a comprehensive offering.
* Focus on convenience and innovation: Provides digital platforms and healthcare solutions for patients and consumers.

The stock sells at 98% of book value and has a superior price to sales ratio of 0.13.

The stock trades at 33 times trailing earnings and 6.3 times forward earnings.

Xerox Holdings Corp. (XRX) is a workplace technology company, which builds and integrates software and hardware for enterprises.

The company has a market cap of $2.27 billion and pays a yield of 5.41%.

While Xerox may first come to mind as a photocopier company, their business has actually evolved significantly in recent years. Here’s a short description:

Focus: Xerox is now a workplace technology company, offering both hardware and software solutions for document management and workflow automation.

Key Services:

Workplace Printing Solutions: Still relevant, offering printers, copiers, and related supplies for both office and production printing.
Digital Services: This has become a major focus, providing document workflow automation, digital document processing, personalized communications, and managed IT solutions.
Security Services: Emphasizing information security with services like managed security and robotic process automation.
Target Market: Businesses of all sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations.

Key Differentiators:

Legacy of innovation: A history of research and development, contributing to advancements like the graphical user interface.
Global reach: Serving customers in over 160 countries.
Client-centric approach: Tailoring solutions to individual needs and challenges.

The company is selling at 90% of book value and trades at a forward P/E of 7.6. The price sales ratio is an excellent 0.33.

Summary

A stock with a lot of great ratios can turn into excellent investments. However, when stocks sell far below the book value, it may be a bargain or it may be a harbinger of negative things to come, such as lower earnings or worse losses.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written.

NYSE Stocks with the Highest Short Interest for Short Squeeze Plays

by Fred Fuld III

Have you ever wondered why stocks that are heavily shorted can spike up in price so much?

When you short a stock, it means that you plan to make money from a drop in the price of a stock. Technically, what happens is that you borrow shares of a stock, sell those shares immediately, then buy back those shares at a hopefully lower price so that you can return those shares. This all happens electronically, so you don’t actually see all the borrowing and returning of shares; it just shows up on your screen as a negative number of shares.

Short sellers can make money, but sometimes when the stock moves against them, and begins to rise, the short sellers jump in fast to buy shares to cover their positions, creating what is called a short squeeze. When a short squeeze takes place, it can cause the share prices to increase fast and furiously. Any positive news can trigger the short squeeze.

Some traders utilize this situation by looking for stocks to buy that may have a potential short squeeze. Here is what a short squeeze trader should take into consideration:

Short Percentage of Float ~ The float is the number of freely tradable shares and the short percentage is the number of shares held short divided by the float. Amounts over 10% to 20% are considered high and potential short squeeze plays.

Short Ratio / Days to Cover / Short Interest Ratio -This is probably the most important metric when looking for short squeeze trades, no matter what you call it. This is the number of days it would take the short sellers to cover their position based on the average daily volume of shares traded. This is a significant ratio as it shows how “stuck” the short sellers are when they want to buy in their shares without driving up the price too much. Unfortunately for the shortsellers, the longer the number of days to cover, the bigger and longer the squeeze.

Short Percentage Increase ~ This is the percentage increase in the number of short sellers from the previous month.

The following are some heavily shorted stocks that may be worth considering.

Company	Symbol	Short Interest	Short % Change	Short Interest Ratio
Fisker Inc	FSR	47.28%	13%	3.8
Carvana Co	CVNA	40.04%	-11%	3.9
C3.ai Inc	AI	38.08%	-2%	4.3
Kohl’s Corporation	KSS	27.11%	8%	5.4
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.	CNK	26.53%	-1%	9.4
IONQ Inc	IONQ	26.22%	2%	5.4

The fourth stock on the list, Kohl’s (KSS) has over 27% of its float shorted, an increase of 8% over last month.

The short interest ratio is 5.4, which means that it would take the short sellers over five days to cover their position, based on recent average volume.

Cinemark Holdings (CNK) is another stock that is heavily shorted with over 26% now short with almost no change in short interest from the previous month.

The short interest ratio is 9, which means that it would take the short sellers over nine days to cover their position, based on recent average volume.

Just keep in mind that just because a stock has good ratios and is heavily shorted, doesn’t mean that the stock will go up, especially in a bear market. Also, stocks that are significantly shorted may be shorted for a reason.

Disclosure: Author had no positions in any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend in December 2023

The following is a short list of some of the many stocks going ex-dividend during the next month, which can be helpful for traders and investors interested in the stock trading technique known as “Buying Dividends” or “Dividend Capture.” This strategy involves purchasing stocks before the ex dividend date and selling them shortly after the ex-date at a similar price, while still being eligible to receive the dividend payment.

Although this technique generally proves effective in bull markets and flat or choppy markets, it is advisable to exercise caution and consider avoiding this strategy during bear markets. To qualify for the dividend, it is necessary to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date and refrain from selling it until on or after the ex-date.

However, it is important to note that the actual dividend may not be paid for several weeks, as the payment date can be delayed by up to two months after the ex-date.

For investors seeking a comprehensive list of stocks going ex-dividend in the near future, WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable list containing numerous dividend-paying companies. Here are a few examples showcasing the stock symbol, ex-dividend date, periodic dividend amount, and annual yield.

Nike, Inc. (NKE)	12/1/2023	0.37	1.37%
H&R Block, Inc. (HRB)	12/4/2023	0.32	2.71%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	12/5/2023	0.50	8.64%
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)	12/5/2023	0.04	0.03%
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)	12/7/2023	1.18	3.86%
FedEx Corporation (FDX)	12/8/2023	1.26	1.96%
Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY)	12/11/2023	0.92	5.29%
HP Inc. (HPQ)	12/12/2023	0.2756	3.85%
Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ)	12/14/2023	1.21	1.31%
Macy’s Inc (M)	12/14/2023	0.1654	4.45%
Southwest Airlines Company (LUV)	12/20/2023	0.18	2.90%
Portland General Electric Co (POR)	12/22/2023	0.475	4.58%
Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX)	12/28/2023	0.25	7.23%
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW)	12/29/2023	0.10	4.76%

To access the entire list of over 100 ex-dividend stocks, subscribers will receive an email in the next couple days with the full list. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up using the provided signup box below. Don’t miss out on this valuable information, and the best part is that it’s free!

Dividend Definitions

To better understand the dividend-related terms, let’s define them:

Declaration date: This refers to the day when a company announces its intention to distribute a dividend in the future.
Ex-dividend date: On this day, if you purchase the stock, you would not be eligible to receive the upcoming dividend. It is also the first day on which a shareholder can sell their shares and still receive the dividend.
Record date: This marks the day when you must be recorded on the company’s books as a shareholder to qualify for the dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is set two business days prior to the record date.
Payment date: This is the day on which the dividend payment is actually made to the eligible shareholders. It’s important to note that the payment date can be as long as two months after the ex-date.

Before implementing the “Buying Dividends” technique, it is crucial to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the respective company to ensure accuracy and avoid any unexpected changes.

In conclusion, being aware of the stocks going ex-dividend can be advantageous for traders and investors employing the “Buying Dividends” strategy. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com provides a convenient resource to access a comprehensive list of such stocks, allowing individuals to plan their investment decisions effectively. Remember to stay informed and consider market conditions before employing any investment strategy.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend in September 2023

However, it is important to note that the actual dividend may not be paid for several weeks, as the payment date can be delayed by up to two months after the ex-date.

Nike (NKE)	9/1/2023	0.34	1.34%
Jack In The Box Inc. (JACK)	9/5/2023	0.44	2.20%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	9/5/2023	0.50	7.52%
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)	9/7/2023	1.18	3.65%
FedEx Corporation (FDX)	9/8/2023	1.26	1.85%
HP Inc. (HPQ)	9/12/2023	0.2625	3.35%
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc (DKS)	9/14/2023	1.00	3.58%
Coca-Cola Company (KO)	9/14/2023	0.46	3.04%
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)	9/21/2023	0.81	4.91%
Portland General Electric Co (POR)	9/22/2023	0.475	4.30%
ConocoPhillips (COP)	9/27/2023	0.60	2.04%
Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX)	9/28/2023	0.25	6.29%
Wolverine World Wide (WWW)	9/29/2023	0.10	4.96%

To access the entire list of over 100 ex-dividend stocks, subscribers will receive an email in the next few days. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up using the provided signup box below. Don’t miss out on this valuable information, and the best part is that it’s free!

Dividend Definitions

To better understand the dividend-related terms, let’s define them:

Before implementing the “Buying Dividends” technique, it is crucial to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the respective company to ensure accuracy and avoid any unexpected changes.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the First Week of December

This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date.

The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the quarterly dividend amount, and annual yield.

Anthem, Inc. (ANTM)	12/4/2017	0.7	1.14%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	12/5/2017	0.55	4.47
Schlumberger N.V. (SLB)	12/5/2017	0.5	3.09%
TiVo Corporation (TIVO)	12/5/2017	0.18	3.05%
Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY)	12/6/2017	0.34	2.15%
Southwest Airlines (LUV)	12/6/2017	0.125	0.71%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found here at wstnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn’t show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out some of the other high yield stock lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WStNN.com. Most of the lists are free.

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of June

Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY)	6/5/2017	0.45	1.91%
Guess?, Inc. (GES)	6/5/2017	0.225	7.22%
Halliburton Company (HAL)	6/5/2017	0.18	1.58%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	6/5/2017	0.55	5.20%
Southwest Airlines Company (LUV)	6/5/2017	0.125	0.66%

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of March

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC)	3/6/2017	0.05	0.30%
The Cheesecake Factory (CAKE)	3/6/2017	0.24	1.44%
Cinemark Holdings Inc (CNK)	3/6/2017	0.29	2.57%
HP Inc. (HPQ)	3/6/2017	0.133	2.86%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	3/6/2017	0.55	4.76%

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Book now available: Buying Dividends Revised and Expanded

Book now available: Stock Market Trivia Makes a Great Gift!

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of December

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called ‘Buying Dividends,’ also commonly referred to as ‘Dividend Capture.’ This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks.

WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the dividend amount, and yield.

Ameren Corporation (AEE)	12/5/2016	0.44	3.5%
Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY)	12/5/2019	0.41	2.3%
General Motors Company (GM)	12/5/2026	0.38	4.4%
Halliburton Company (HAL)	12/5/2028	0.18	1.5%
Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)	12/5/2030	0.5	3.7%
Praxair, Inc. (PX)	12/5/2032	0.75	2.5%
Schlumberger N.V. (SLB)	12/5/2035	0.5	2.5%
Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY)	12/6/2018	0.28	2.5%

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List
Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Book now available: Buying Dividends Revised and Expanded

Book now available: Stock Market Trivia Makes a Great Gift!

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Corporate Stock Earnings Reports for Week 2 of November

Looking for some interesting moves in some stocks this upcoming week? Check out the companies that will be reporting earnings this week.

If earnings exceed analysts’ expectations, the stocks can shoot up. If the numbers underperform, the stock can tank. Then again, occasionally, stocks don’t move the way you would have expected.

Anyway, many traders use earnings plays for trading strategies. Also, option traders look for high implied volatility of stocks for for option selling strategies.

Here are many of the enormous number of stocks reporting earnings this week:

Monday

ALGN
ARNA
CZR
HTZ
IFF
MAR
NWS
PCLN

Tuesday

CNK
CVS
DHI
JCI
VRX
TRIP

Wednesday

MT
CROX
COTY
M
VIAB
WEN
TCS
MYL
SHAK
SLW
SUN
VVUS

Thursday

AZN
KSS
PRTY
PRGO
RL
SODA
KORS
JWN
NVD
DIS

Friday

If you like interesting stock lists like this, be sure to check out many of the free stock lists here at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.