Nasdaq Reports Mid-Month Open Short Interest Positions as of January 15, 2026
Nasdaq Inc, a leading global technology company, has released its mid-month report on open short interest positions in Nasdaq stocks, revealing significant movements in short selling activity as of the settlement date of January 15, 2026. This press release provides an insightful glimpse into the current state of market sentiment and trading behavior among investors.
1. Key Figures in Short Interest
According to the report, total short interest across 3,515 Nasdaq Global Market securities reached 15,349,969,813 shares. This marks an increase from the 15,183,396,236 shares recorded in the previous reporting period, which included 3,498 Global Market issues as of December 31, 2025. The average days to cover for this reporting period stands at 2.88 days, slightly higher than the 2.83 days reported previously.
Short Interest Breakdown by Market
The Nasdaq Capital Market showed a notable increase in short selling, with 1,669 securities totaling 3,478,325,627 shares sold short by the settlement date. This is an uptick from 3,382,557,383 shares in 1,671 securities during the previous reporting period. The average daily volume for this segment is now 1.19 days, down from 1.27 days in the prior report, indicating a shift in trading dynamics.
Comprehensive Overview of Nasdaq Securities
Overall, short interest across all 5,184 Nasdaq securities totaled 18,828,295,440 shares as of January 15, 2026. This figure represents an increase from 18,565,953,619 shares recorded for 5,169 issues at the end of the last reporting period. The average days to cover for all securities has decreased slightly to 2.28 days, compared to 2.31 days previously.
2. Understanding Short Selling
The open short interest positions reported by Nasdaq reflect the total number of shares sold short by all broker/dealers, regardless of their exchange affiliations. A short sale typically involves selling a security not owned by the seller, often facilitated through the borrowing of shares. This practice serves as a hedge against market downturns or as a speculative strategy to profit from anticipated declines in stock prices.
3. Conclusion
The latest figures from Nasdaq indicate a growing trend in short selling activity, particularly in the Global Market and Capital Market segments. Investors and analysts will be closely monitoring these trends as they reflect market sentiment and potential shifts in trading strategies. The increase in short interest could signify a bearish outlook among traders, prompting further analysis of individual securities and overall market conditions.
For further details on Nasdaq's short interest positions and publication dates, stakeholders can visit the Nasdaq website or access their dedicated short interest pages.
About Nasdaq
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is committed to providing innovative technology solutions to corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators, enhancing their interaction with the global financial system. Through its diverse offerings, Nasdaq aims to foster liquidity, transparency, and integrity in capital markets worldwide.
