The Short ReportFNArena News - January 30 2014Guide:The Short...

The Short Report
FNArena News - January 30 2014

Guide:

The Short Report draws upon data provided by the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) to highlight significant weekly and monthly moves in short positions registered on stocks listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Please take note of the Important Information provided at the end of this report. Percentage amounts in this report refer to percentage of ordinary shares on issue.

Summary:

Period: Week to, and month to, January 23, 2013.

The shorters appear disinclined to take risky positions into the result season, given activity has all but dried up on a weekly basis. Last week saw only one weekly short increase of one percentage point or more and one decrease. Stem cell biotech Mesoblast continues to attract short attention while OZ Minerals' production report significantly surprised to the upside.

There were four monthly short increases of 2ppt or more last week to one decrease. Atlas iron continues to attract attention on a weaker iron ore price while the hot weather is impacting on Australian agri stocks.

There was little movement in the Top 20 last week, with News Corp-related shares and ETFs still leading the table but irrelavant to actual shorting activity while retail-exposed stocks and mining services mostly fill out the places.

Weekly Short Increases

Shorts in Mesoblast (MSB) increased to 5.51% from 3.08%

In December Meso published some positive trial results but January has brought nothing but volatility for the stock, including a steep fall and sharp bounce in the week in question. News came through of a substantial shareholding taken up by an LA-based investment company. The shorters may not have faith in MSB’s stem cell products.

Weekly Short Decreases

Shorts in OZ Minerals ((OZL)) decreased to 5.49% from 6.88%