Svmuu reported that since the end of April, bearish bets on U.S. and Canadian stock markets have rapidly expanded. Data from S3 Partners LLC shows that total short positions have increased by nearly $100 billion, reaching $2.13 trillion, the highest level since the agency began tracking in 2010. Meanwhile, data from Goldman Sachs' prime brokerage business shows that the median net short interest as a percentage of market capitalization for S&P 500 index components has risen to 3%, the highest level since the end of 2011.
The Goldman Sachs trading desk views this positioning structure as a key signal of change, suggesting that the next phase of upward momentum for the market may come from a "short squeeze" driven by short covering, rather than continuing to rely on the rally expansion led by large-cap tech stocks over the past two months.
A team composed of Gail Hafif, Brian Garrett, and Lee Coppersmith pointed out: "We do see the potential for the market to move higher from current levels, but the next leg of the rally is more likely to be fueled by short covering in out-of-favor market sectors and risk aversion towards the momentum frenzy."