Short sellers upped the ante on real estate names KRC, LHO, HST, OFC, NLY, CLI, and RLGY
The real estate sector attracted the attention of short sellers during the most recent reporting period. Of the 50 stocks that saw the biggest increases in short interest -- considering only equities that trade at least one million shares a day -- seven fall under our "Real Estate" umbrella. This marked the most of any sector, with retail coming in second, accounting for four spots. With expectations for a December rate hike on the rise, perhaps bears are banking on a knee-jerk reaction to rate-exposed stocks like banks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Specifically, making the list were Kilroy Realty Corp (NYSE:KRC), which saw a 54% jump in short interest; LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO), of which 10.2% of its float is now sold short, following a 40% jump in short interest; Host Hotels and Resorts Inc (NYSE:HST); Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE:OFC); Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NYSE:NLY); Mack Cali Realty Corp (NYSE:CLI); and Realogy Holdings Corp (NYSE:RLGY).
Below is the entire list, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White:
