All time highs for S&P500, according to Markit 10 December 2014London Reporter: Stephen Durham
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The S&P500 index is currently reaching all-time highs on an almost daily basis, recently touching above 2050 points, according to data from Markit.
Overall the S&P500 has delivered returns of 13.6 percent year-to-date and 16 percent over the last 12 months.
According to Markit, average short interest across the S&P has remained “relatively flat” over the year at 2.1 percent, peaking at 2.4 percent in October.
This was followed by an overall decline, before enjoying a recovery towards the end of 2014.
Analyst at Markit Relte Schutte said: “The most compelling story of the year is undoubtedly the decline in oil price from a mid-year high of $115 for Brent crude in June to a current $65 price level.”
“Unsurprisingly, securities lending data reveals that the energy sector’s average shares on loan has grown significantly throughout the year.”
Short interest in energy stocks on average has grown by 81 percent to hit 3.2 percent since the beginning of the year. This contrasts to the beginning of year where energy stocks saw less short interest than the index average.
Among the most shorted stocks in the S&P500 universe is Western Union, which has 14.5 percent of shares outstanding out on loan, amid reports of activist M&A activity.
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