Essential Utilities (WTRG) Short Interest Ratio & Short Volume

Short interest is the volume of Essential Utilities shares that have been sold short but have not yet been closed out or covered. As of January 31st, investors have sold 4,660,000 shares of WTRG short. Learn More on Essential Utilities' current short interest.

The short interest ratio, also known as the "days to cover ratio", is calculated by dividing the number of shares of a stock sold short divided by its average trading volume. A short interest ratio ranging between 1 and 4 generally indicates strong positive sentiment about a stock and a lack of short sellers. A short interest ratio of 10 or greater indicates strong pessimism about a stock. WTRG shares currently have a short interest ratio of 3.0. Learn More on Essential Utilities's short interest ratio.

As of the most recent reporting period, the following institutional investors, funds, and major shareholders have reported short positions of Essential Utilities: Citadel Advisors LLC, and Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc.. These positions are disclosed in Form 13F filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Essential Utilities saw a drop in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totaling 4,660,000 shares, a drop of 13.4% from the previous total of 5,380,000 shares. Changes in short volume can be used to identify positive and negative investor sentiment. Investors that short sell a stock are betting that its price will decline in the future. An increase in short sale volume suggests bearish (negative) sentiment among investors. A decrease on short sale volume suggests bullish (positive) sentiment.

Here is how the short interest of companies in the industry of "utilities" compare to Essential Utilities: Cheniere Energy Partners (0.55%), Fortis Inc. (2.11%), Alliant Energy Co. (3.34%), Western Midstream Partners, LP (3.56%), Evergy, Inc. (4.24%), Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobrás (0.10%), Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP (0.72%), DT Midstream, Inc. (3.01%), Korea Electric Power Co. (0.06%), EnLink Midstream, LLC (3.03%),

As of the most recent reporting period, the following stocks had the largest short interest positions: AppLovin Co. ($5.21 billion), Charter Communications, Inc. ($4.07 billion), Reddit, Inc. ($3.33 billion), The Kroger Co. ($2.67 billion), Cencora, Inc. ($2.29 billion), Hims & Hers Health, Inc. ($2.17 billion), SoFi Technologies, Inc. ($1.99 billion), Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. ($1.87 billion), Rivian Automotive, Inc. ($1.76 billion), and Moderna, Inc. ($1.60 billion). View all of the most shorted stocks.

Short selling WTRG is an investing strategy that aims to generate trading profit from Essential Utilities as its price is falling. WTRG shares are trading up $0.62 today. To short a stock, an investor borrows shares, sells them and buys the shares back on the public market later to return it to the lender. Short sellers are betting that a stock will decline in price. If the stock does drop after selling, the short seller buys it back at a lower price and returns it to the lender. The difference between the sell price and the buy price is the trader's profit.

A short squeeze for Essential Utilities occurs when it has a large amount of short interest and its stock appreciates in price. This forces short sellers to cover their short interest positions by buying actual shares of WTRG, which in turn drives the price of the stock up even further.

Short interest is typically published by a stock exchange once per month. However, NASDAQ publishes a report for U.S. stocks, including WTRG, twice per month. The most recent reporting period available is January, 31 2025.