Short interest in InterOil stock hit an all-time high.

[Gator]

Short interest in InterOil stock hit an all-time high for the most recent reporting period. At the end of the settlement date of January 15, 2013, short interest in InterOil security totaled 11,480,990 shares compared with 10,848,866 shares reported for the prior settlement date of December 31, 2012. The mid-January short interest represents 18.04 days average daily share volume (636,564) for the reporting period.  The net 632,124 share short increase almost equaled the average daily volume during the 11 trading day period.  IOC stock closed at $60.29 on January 15, up 8.57% from the December 31, 2012 close despite the sizable increase in short interest. One Wall Street analyst is on record predicting a short squeeze in InterOil in the coming weeks.

[jft310]

Perfect timing to get killed in a short squeeze

[johnwgrant]

WOW . . . the shorts continue to show no fear !!!

I guess if you have a gazillion dollar line of credit with Wall Street, then you can 'control' the stock price of IOC no matter what.

IE, overwhelm the buyers and push the price to whatever level suits you.

It will be fascinating to see what (if anything) will force the shorts to cover and/or go long....

Homework for Phil: Please study all short squeezes of the past 10 years and plan your strategy to get your revenge on those that have 'played' with your stock price for lo these many years.

Go InterOil !

[Putncalls]

I guess the shorters must think that NO company will try to buy out IOC?

[johnwgrant]

I guess the shorters must think that NO company will try to buy out IOC?

They must not only think that to be true, but, they also must think that any sell-down will be 'underwhelming' - ie, low price or with a 2nd tier player....

Or, it could be that one of the major oil companies is "paying" a hedge fund to keep a lid on the stock while they prepare their "takeover" bid  

[jft310]

The price is $400 a share in a takeover. Not gonna happen in
my work soon Later sure. The price will be even higher then cause
The risk is so reduced. In a bidding war who knows

[bertl05]

WOW . . . the shorts continue to show no fear !!! I guess if you have a gazillion dollar line of credit with Wall Street, then you can 'control' the stock price of IOC no matter what. IE, overwhelm the buyers and push the price to whatever level suits you. It will be fascinating to see what (if anything) will force the shorts to cover and/or go long.... Homework for Phil: Please study all short squeezes of the past 10 years and plan your strategy to get your revenge on those that have 'played' with your stock price for lo these many years. Go InterOil !

John you make a great point. With virtullay zero interest rates for big firms, hedge funds etc. It makes shorting more palatable. No uptick rule....huge money dark pools...the same firm thats a big market maker is also a huge darkpool trader.............They do show little fer as you say. Its a stock market pandemic at this point. Hopefully IOC puts them to sleep soon. But now the reality exists. Annnnnnnnd thats why short interest is at an all time high despite being 5 weeks from the transformative event.

[tarulestheday]

I continue to hear from multiple trusted sources that short of a total company buyout, the shorts have no fear of IOC in the near term. They still believe that Phil will disappoint both in the delayed timing and terms of a SD. However, the latest PR seemed to take on both of these points pretty directly.

A buyout or bidding war changes everything and that is what I am hoping for as this is the only way to fry the shorts in the near term.

Those scum-sucking shorts must have borrowed alot of shares recently. That should add to their losses going forward.

[bertl05]

I continue to hear from multiple trusted sources that short of a total company buyout, the shorts have no fear of IOC in the near term. They still believe that Phil will disappoint both in the delayed timing and terms of a SD. However, the latest PR seemed to take on both of these points pretty directly. A buyout or bidding war changes everything and that is what I am hoping for as this is the only way to fry the shorts in the near term. Those scum-sucking shorts must have borrowed alot of shares recently. That should add to their losses going forward.

I'm virtually sure its naked shorting Ta.

[tarulestheday]

I'm virtually sure its naked shorting Ta.

It's very hard to get any handle on how many IOC shares are naked but I would bet that the number far exceeds what most people would believe. They were on REGSHO for a very long time many years ago and some of the same shorts are still around from what I recently heard.

Don't stop posting Bert. Your balance is appreciated here.