MicroStrategy Faces $6.9B Bet Against Stock from Big Shorts

As an experienced financial analyst, I’ve seen my fair share of market fluctuations and the role short-selling plays in shaping a company’s stock price. In the case of MicroStrategy, the recent surge in its stock price has left many hedge funds and short-sellers with significant losses.


As an analyst, I’ve observed a significant surge in MicroStrategy’s business intelligence software company’s stock price over the past six months, nearly tripling in value. This price hike has resulted in a noticeable decline in hedge funds’ confidence in the company, causing them to reconsider their positions. Concurrently, short-selling investors have accumulated substantial holdings, amounting to approximately $6.9 billion, betting against the stock.

MicroStrategy Faces $6.9B Bet Against Stock from Big Shorts

As of June 6, MicroStrategy held 18 bearish bets, or short positions, on Fintel’s “The Big Shorts” roster, with the most significant one being worth approximately $2.4 billion and occupying the 27th spot among all institutions carrying the largest net short positions.

In the United States, the SPDR S&P 500 Trust ETF holds the largest net short position, worth approximately $114.6 billion. However, this is significantly less than the record net short position of around $3.60 billion reached for Amazon’s stock.

The level of confidence among short sellers has noticeably waned in the past half year as MicroStrategy’s short-interest ratio plummeted by approximately 50%, falling from 3.1 days to just 1.5 days. This shift occurred despite certain firms deciding to bet against the company.

Traders can make use of this ratio to identify the duration of a short squeeze and approximately how long it takes for short sellers to close their positions. On the other hand, a smaller figure implies reduced demand among short sellers within the market.

Since December 2023, MicroStrategy’s stock has experienced a significant surge in value. The price began at $570 but has since more than doubled and even tripled, reaching a current level of approximately $1,656.

A few weeks following Kerrisdale Capital’s intensified campaign against MicroStrategy, which held short positions against the company, an increase occurred. This push came after the introduction of Bitcoin spot ETFs early in the year.

Following the green light given to various Bitcoin ETF proposals, Kerrisdale argued that investing in MicroStrategy shares no longer presents a compelling reason for investors seeking Bitcoin exposure.

As a researcher studying the financial markets, I’ve observed MicroStrategy’s impressive stock performance with great interest. This robust growth has proven the company’s capacity to weather attacks from short-sellers and keep pace with competitors. Amidst the ever-changing market landscapes, MicroStrategy continues to adapt and thrive, piquing the curiosity of investors and analysts alike.

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2024-06-07 09:08