The short interest ratio (also called days-to-cover ratio)[1] represents the number of days it takes short sellers on average to cover their positions, that is repurchase all of the borrowed shares. It is calculated by dividing the number of shares sold short by the average daily trading volume, generally over the last 30 trading days. The ratio is used by fundamental and technical traders to identify trends.[2]
The days-to-cover ratio can also be calculated for an entire exchange to determine the sentiment of the market as a whole. If an exchange has a high days-to-cover ratio of around five or greater, this can be taken as a bearish signal, and vice versa.
The short interest ratio is not to be confused with the short interest, a similar concept whereby the number of shares sold short is divided by the number of outstanding shares. The latter concept does not take liquidity into account.[2]
- ^ "Fields Definition". Bloomberg. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ a b "What is the Short Interest Ratio". Investopedia. Retrieved 17 December 2019.