ShortAtlas methodology
What is Short Interest?
Short Interest is a delayed report of open short positions. Learn what it measures, how it differs from short volume, and how to read it.
Short Interest is an open position balance
Short Interest is the number of shares that have been sold short and remain open as of a reported settlement date. It is a position balance, not a daily trading volume number.
Because Short Interest is reported on a delayed schedule, it should be read with the settlement date shown on the page. It does not describe live intraday positioning.
Why traders compare it with volume and float
A Short Interest number can be more useful when compared with average daily volume, shares outstanding, or float. These comparisons help users understand scale, but they still do not create a trading signal.
ShortAtlas shows Short Interest alongside days to cover and daily short-volume reference data so users can separate position balance from trade-flow activity.
What it does not mean
High Short Interest does not automatically mean a price must rise or fall. It can reflect hedging, valuation disagreement, liquidity conditions, or other market activity.
ShortAtlas presents Short Interest as reference data only. It does not provide buy or sell recommendations, predictions, target prices, or investment advice.
How often it is reported
Short Interest is collected on a twice-monthly settlement cycle, typically around the middle and the end of each month, and published after a processing delay of several business days.
That delay means the number on a ticker page describes positions as they stood on the settlement date, not as they stand today. Always pair the value with the settlement date shown next to it.