Whether or not you trust the opinion of hedge funds and investment banks no-one but stubborn contrarians likes any of their holdings to be among the most hated in the City. So let’s jump into the list of the 10 most shorted stocks in the FTSE 350 to see whether your favourite is included.
| Company | Short position |
| Carillion | 21.34% |
| WM Morrisons | 18.97% |
| Ocado Group | 17.36% |
| Tullow Oil | 13.78% |
| Ladbrokes | 11.29% |
| Weir Group | 10.99% |
| Mitie Group | 10.18% |
| J Sainsbury | 8.92% |
| Victrex | 7.98% |
| Aggreko | 6.81% |
Source: Castellian Capital, FCA
For construction giant Carillion, traders’ negativity comes from several years of tepid revenue growth and stagnant earnings even as the company switches to supposedly higher margin services contracts. Net debt may be falling but until Carillion has improved margins and earnings I won’t be going long on the cyclical builder.
Grocer WM Morrison (LSE: MRW) shares have been a favourite short position for years as continued price wars have decimated profits for all major grocers. While the company’s turnaround is bearing fruit, falling market share and collapsing margins leave little room for shares to return to previous highs.
There’s a similar explanation for the struggles of online grocer Ocado (LSE: OCDO). Although sales continue to grow at a rapid clip the company has little pricing power and the entry of Amazon Fresh into the already crowded UK market doesn’t portend well for this relative minnow.
Take the problems of oil majors across the world then add in a 62% gearing ratio and the unpopularity of Tullow (LSE: TLW) is understandable. But with underlying operating costs per barrel of only $13.40, capital expenditure falling and production increasing significantly, the negativity around Tullow may be overblown.
Shake-ups in the gambling industry have investors betting heavily against the ability of Ladbrokes to adapt to lower footfall in high street shops, increased regulation of betting machines and a shift to online gambling.
Manufacturing pumps for oil producers and miners has made for a rough few years at Scottish engineer Weir. There are early signs of a recovery in capital expenditure in both industries but with 2016 expected to mark the fourth straight year of falling earnings, I won’t be taking the plunge on Weir just yet.
Brexit has been key to investor concern over the prospects for outsourcer Mitie (LSE: MTO), which blamed uncertainty over the referendum results for a profit warning in September. With businesses and government agencies evidently holding off on contracts until the dust settles I wouldn’t be betting on Mitie shares rocketing anytime soon.
Like Morrisons and Ocado, shrinking market share and increased competition from budget chains have hammered investor confidence in J Sainsbury (LSE: SBRY). Spending £1.4bn for troubled business Argos will only dilute management’s focus on turning around the core business. I expect rough seas ahead.
Plastics producer Victrex has become a target for short sellers due to falling sales to the oil & gas industry and regulatory scrutiny of its medical implants in the US. Long term though, being the market leader in a growth industry alongside stunning margins makes me think Victrex could be worth a closer look.
Woes in the oil & gas industry have also dented confidence in generator provider Aggreko. A profit warning late last year didn’t help and investors remain worried that continued weakness in emerging markets could spell trouble as debt rises.
